Biogen’s discusses increased sales growth

Biogen’s sales growth is down to three of its products, it has asserted.

The biotechnological company’s first quarter 2009 revenues increased by ten per cent compared to the same period last year, totalling $1,036,000 (697 million pounds).

Tysabri, a treatment sold as relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in the European Union, primarily drove the results with a 44 per cent growth to $165 million in the first three months of the year.

Revenues from the B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma medication Rituxan increased 13 per cent, totalling $279 million.

Sales of another MS treatment ? Avonex ? also grew four per cent to $555 million.

James C Mullen, president and chief executive officer of Biogen, said the revenues from all three products were in line with the business’ expectations.

“The expansion of our global footprint in recent years is serving us well, particularly in the current environment,” he added.

“One-third of our sales currently come from outside the United States – a clear illustration of our success in capturing the greatest amount of value for our products worldwide.”

Biogen announced last month that Robert Hamm had been appointed as chief operating officer.