Sanofi reports sales and earnings growth for 2015

Sanofi has announced its financial results for 2015, during which it delivered an aggregate group sales total of 37.06 billion euros (29.06 billion pounds).

This represented a year-on-year increase of 9.7 percent, or 2.2 percent on a constant exchange rate basis. Its business earnings per share also rose by 8.5 percent to 5.64 euros.

Key milestones achieved in 2015 include the negotiation of a business swap with Boehringer Ingelheim, which will see Sanofi swap its Merial animal health unit for Boehringer Ingelheim's consumer health division.

It also formed a number of research alliances in the fields of oncology and diabetes, made progress with the rollout of key products such as Toujeo and Praluent, and received approval for Dengvaxia, the world's first dengue vaccine.

In 2016, the firm expects its earnings per share performance to be broadly stable at constant exchange rates, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Sanofi chief executive officer Olivier Brandicourt said: "In 2016, we continue to allocate resources to our promising late-stage pipeline and the introduction of innovative medicines, which will position us for accelerated future growth."