Japanese Drugmakers Yamanouchi and Eisai Report Results

Japanese drugmakers Yamanouchi and Eisai have reported results for the quarter ended December 31. Yamanouchi, which is shortly to merge with Fujisawa to create Japan's second-largest drug company Astellas, reported a 30% year-on-year fall in net profit to JPY18.27bn (US$176.64mn). Despite solid sales of the company's urinary treatment Harnal and blood pressure therapy Micardis, costs associated with the merger and expansion moves in the US largely offset gains.

Meanwhile, mid-sized drugmaker Eisai reported a more positive performance, recording a net profit rise of 6.5% to JPY16.5bn (US$159.49mn). Sales increased 10.4% to JPY143.4bn (US$1.39bn) in the period, with Alzheimer's drug Aricept and ulcer treatment Pariet continuing to perform strongly. Notably, both Eisai and Yamanouchi are targeting expansion in the US as domestic market growth remains sluggish.