Japan's Eisai Reports April Through December Results

Japanese pharmaceuticals maker Eisai has exceeded its forecasts for the first three quarters of its financial year, April through December 2004. Further, the company has already met more than three quarters of its full year target, with turnover in the period 7.1% higher year-on-year at JPY404.4bn (US$3.85bn).

The company attributed the strong performance to cost savings and solid sales of its leading Alzheimer's disease therapy drug Aricept (donepezil), which increased by some 18% year-on-year to JPY122bn (US$1.16bn) despite stiffening competition. Meanwhile, intense competition in Europe in the proton pump inhibitor antiulcer segment forced sales of Pariet (rabeprazole) into a slight decline, bringing world revenue on the drug to JPY100.8bn (US$961.40mn).

Eisai reported a net profit rise of 6.5% to JPY16.5bn (US$159.49mn) in the final quarter of the 2004 calendar year, with sales increasing 10.4% to JPY143.4bn (US$1.39bn) in the period. World demand for leading products including Aricept also bolstered revenue despite tough domestic operating conditions.