Germany-based Boehringer Ingelheim, a top research-driven pharmaceutical company, has recorded a sales growth of 14.3 per cent during the first half of the year in the Mena region.

Net global sales rose by 3.1 per cent, currency-adjusted, compared to the same period in the previous year, to around 7.1 billion euros ($9.41 billion).

The main growth drivers were the oral anticoagulant for atrial fibrillation, the novel medicine for type 2 diabetes, and Boehringer Ingelheim established medicine for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a company statement said.

“The first half year was marked by numerous challenges, like the continuously cost pressure in healthcare systems, and not only in Europe. The global market in prescription medicines – the most relevant to Boehringer Ingelheim – has almost stagnated in the first quarter,” said Professor Andreas Barner, chairman of the Board of Managing Directors.

“In order to continually heighten our competitiveness, we continue to invest in areas that will determine the future of our group of companies. Going beyond our yet again increased expenditure on research and development, we are further improving our production plants and quality processes.”

“Furthermore, we are preparing for more launches. For example in the Human Pharmaceuticals area, we have developed a new medication for the targeted treatment of lung cancer, which should come onto the market in the initial countries in the next few months,” Prof Barner said.

Registration by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was granted for the new medication in July for patients with a specific type of lung cancer. For the European market, the responsible authority has already recommended registration, so that this is expected in the coming weeks. Besides diabetes, oncology is now to become the company’s second new indication area, he added.

Full year 2013: Further growth planned

Karim El Alaoui, managing director at Boehringer Ingelheim Mena, said: “Boehringer Ingelheim in the Mena region has continued to see high performance, achieving 14.3 per cent growth over last year first half achievement. Established products have made a significant contribution to the overall business, in particular for diseases of high prevalence in the region such as diabetes, high blood pressure, COPD and stroke prevention.

“Within the GCC countries, Saudi Arabia has been a significant contributor to growth followed by the UAE. We remain focused on managing our cost structure to reallocate our resources more effectively and invest in our pipeline of our new products and our leaders who are behind this business.”

Hubertus von Baumbach, member of the Board of Managing Directors responsible for Finance, noted: “Despite the difficult circumstances, we assume further growth for the full year 2013. In a stagnating world pharmaceutical market, we expect to achieve net sales growth in the lower single-digit area. This corresponds to a figure that will be above-market, in keeping with our long-term direction.” – TradeArabia News Service