Actelion reports strong results for first half of 2013

Actelion has reported its financial results for the first half of 2013, a period marked by strong sales and earnings for the company.

The firm's sales total for the six months came to 884.1 million Swiss francs (617.15 million pounds), up by three percent year over year, while its income and earnings both saw double-digit percentage increases.

During the half-year, the company made significant progress with its pulmonary arterial hypertension franchise and developed its efforts to build additional specialty franchises, while also enhancing its operational efficiency.

Based on this strong performance, the company has raised its guidance for 2014 and now expects core earnings in local currencies for the year to at least match those of 2013.

Andrew Oakley, chief financial officer of Actelion, said: "We would then expect earnings growth in at least the single-digit percentage range in 2015, again from a much higher base than expected when the three-year outlook was issued in 2012."

Founded in 1997, Actelion is responsible for products such as Tracleer, Veletri, Ventavis and Zavesca and operates in more than 30 countries.