Lilly sales increase 9 per cent

Lilly’s sales have increased nine per cent, according the company’s latest financial results.

The organisation’s fourth-quarter and full-year 2008 figures noted its worldwide purchases over the 12 months reached $20 billion (14.04 billion pounds).

It however noted a loss of $3.31 per share over the latest quarter, attributing the decrease to the acquisition of ImClone.

Commenting on the figures, John Lechleiter, chairman and chief executive officer of Lilly, said 2008 was a year of “significant transformation” for the organisation, adding the company’s operational and strategic priorities were “executed well”.

“Our solid financial performance, driven by volume-based sales growth, improved gross margins and better productivity, allowed us to make important investments,” he went on to note.

In October last year, the company’s third-quarter results revealed a sales increase of 14 per cent and a rise in earnings per share to $1.04.

Based in Indianapolis, US, the company employs around 40,217 people around the world.