Fujisawa Posts Nine-Month Results, Revises Forecast

Japanese drugmaker Fujisawa has reported strong results for the first nine months of its financial year ending March 2005. Net sales rose 2.5% in the period to JPY323bn (US$3.01bn), with net income of JPY48.6bn (US$460.84mn).

The company reported that sales of its immunosuppressant Prograf (tacrolimus) were 14.7% higher in the period, with dermatitis agent Protopic, atypical antipsychotic Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate) and antidepressant Luvox (fluvoxamine maleate) all growing strongly. However, injectable antibiotic Cefamezin (cefazolin) and antihypertensive Nivadil (nilvadipine) were among products with deteriorating sales in the nine months.

Fujisawa is due to merge with fellow Japanese drugmaker Yamanouchi to create Astellas, the country's second-largest drugmaker, in April. Ahead of the merger, the company has revised its full-year estimates upwards, now projecting non-consolidated net income of JPY20.0bn (US$189.62mn) for the financial year.