BioMerieux reports annual sales increase for 2011

BioMerieux has published its financial report for the 2011 business year, announcing a 5.2 percent year-over-year increase in sales for the 12 months.

The life science company's sales total for the year came to 1.43 billion euros (1.18 billion pounds), thanks to the launch of 25 new products over the last year, as well as the acquisition of AES Laboratoire and Argene.

Other highlights of 2011 included the investment made in sequencing specialist Knome and the agreement of three partnership deals, while efforts were also made to improve BioMerieux's production capabilities and business software systems.

Jean-Luc Belingard, chairman and chief executive officer of BioMerieux, said: "BioMerieux delivered a solid operating performance in a difficult economic environment in 2011, with operating income before non-recurring items reaching 18 percent of sales."

The company expects 2012 to be equally successful, thanks to the launch of its new Vidas product, the formation of two new commercial subsidiaries and the growth of the in vitro diagnostics market.

Its organic growth target of three to five percent is in line with its 2015 strategic plan, as outlined in 2010.