The world's second largest prescription drugmaker by prescription sales said it now expects adjusted earnings per share in 2006 to grow around 12%, compared with a previous forecast of around 10%.
In the second quarter of 2006, Sanofi-Aventis reported adjusted earnings per share of EUR1.33, up 14.7% from EUR1.16 in the same period in 2005, on sales rising 5.9% to EUR7.081 billion.
Net profit in the quarter rose 15% to EUR1.79 billion from EUR1.55 billion a year earlier.
Sales in the second quarter were hit by cheaper generic versions of allergy drug Allegra, which were introduced in the U.S. in September 2005, and the effects of the healthcare system reforms in France and Germany.
Net sales of Sanofi-Aventis' top 15 drugs, which contributed to almost 70% of pharmaceutical sales, rose 5.9% to EUR4.382 billion. Main drivers were best-selling blood-thinners Plavix and Lovenox, insomnia drug Ambien and cancer treatment Taxotere, which advanced its share of a tough market in the U.S.
The vaccines business grew 60% to EUR568 million, helped by sales of seasonal influenza vaccines and also by the inclusion of $150 million from a contract to supply the U.S. government with a vaccine targeting H5N1, the virus that causes bird flu.
Sanofi-Aventis shares closed in Paris at EUR73.45 Tuesday.
Marketing data on Sanofi is available at: therapeutic marketing information
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