Teva hails record-breaking performance in 2010

Teva has achieved its best-ever sales performance in the last 12 months, according to data from its annual financial report.

The generic medicine specialist was able to generate a record $16.1 billion (10.04 billion pounds) during 2010, representing a year-on-year growth of 16 percent.

During the period, the company has been able to complete the acquisitions of Merck Serono's European women's health business unit Theramex and the German healthcare firm ratiopharm.

The latter merger ensures that Teva is now the largest generics company in Europe.

Meanwhile, the firm has seen global in-market sales of the multiple sclerosis treatment Copaxone rise to record levels, while its Parkinson's disease treatment Azilect also experienced double-digit percentage growth.

Shlomo Yanai, the company's president and chief executive officer, said: "Teva's 2010 results provide us with an exceptionally strong foundation to deliver continuous profitable growth in 2011 and position us right on track to achieve our long-term strategic goals."