Novartis 300
PHARMACEUTICAL group Novartis, which employs about 600 staff at its Speke flu virus manufacturing plant, said it expects 2012 sales to match those of 2011, in a fourth quarter trading update today.
The Swiss-based business revealed 2011 fourth quarter net sales of £9.48bn, which was a 4% increase on the same period last year.
Annual net sales of £37.54bn were 16% better than 2010.
Operating income of £844m for the quarter was a 47% decline, due to net exceptional charges of £960m, although over the year they showed a 5% improvement to £7.45bn.
Net sales growth has been fuelled by recently launched products, the group revealed.
The Speke Novartis site manufacturers flu treatments, mainly for the US market, but was also used to produce jabs in the fight against the H1N1 swine flu outbreak.
