PARIS (dpa-AFX) - French drug maker Sanofi (SNYNF, SNY) Thursday reported that its first-quarter net income attributable to equity holders slid more than 5 percent to 1.023 billion euros. Consolidated earnings per share declined to 0.78 euros from 0.82 euros last year.
The group said its business net income grew 11.6 percent, on a reported basis, to 1.726 million euros, despite launch investments and U.S. Lantus pricing impact, and business earnings per share was up 12.8%, on a reported basis, to 1.32 euros.
Group sales increased 12.3 percent, on a reported basis, to 8.810 billion euros, but grew 2.4 percent at constant exchange rates.
At constant exchange rates, sales of Genzyme grew over 30 percent to 821 million euros, reflecting the strong performance of Aubagio and double-digit growth of Rare Diseases products.
Looking ahead to 2015, Sanofi said it continues to expect Business earnings per share to be stable to slightly growing versus last year at constant average exchange rates, barring major unforeseen adverse events.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX