Serono’s strong performance characterised by Rebif

Worldwide sales of Rebif were the driving force behind Serono’s strong performance in the first quarter of the year.

Sales of the treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis grew by 11.7 per cent to a total value of $327 million, the company said in its first quarter results announcement.

“Our strong first quarter top-line performance reflects a healthy business across the board,” said Ernesto Bertarelli, chief executive officer of Serono.

“Moving forward we will continue to invest in our existing businesses and R&D pipeline and we intend to actively pursue opportunities for growth through acquisitions.”

The company has also adjusted its full-year outlook, with the strong performance encouraging Serono to raise its earnings per share outlook to $45 per bearer share.

Perhaps the biggest turnaround for the company was in net income for the quarter. The $179.9 million was a huge improvement compared with the same period for 2005, when net income stood at a loss of $567.7 million.

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