Elder Pharmaceuticals Ltd, an integrated healthcare company, has posted excellent results for the fourth quarter ended March 2007 (Q4). As per the unaudited provisional results taken on record on 24^th April 2007, the income from operations has gone up to Rs 121.08 crore for Q4 as compared to Rs. 101.27 crore during the corresponding quarter in the previous year. The gross profit (PBDT) too has shown a healthy growth to Rs 20.06 crore for Q4 reflecting a growth of 21.13% over the previous corresponding quarter's figure of Rs 16.56 crore. At net level, there has been a growth of 17.61 to Rs 14.96 cr during the current quarter from Rs 12.72 crore during the previous quarter.

Provisional unaudited figures for the year ended March 2007 stand as follows: Income from operations - Rs. 462.07 crore (previous year 2005-06 - Rs. 383.05 crore), PBT - Rs.66.82 crore (Rs. 46.85 crore) and net profit - Rs.56.82 crore (Rs. 36.70 crore). The various international alliances of the company, new manufacturing facilities, launch of newer products - particularly in the OTC segment - and strong growth in the traditional products have contributed to the company's better working.

During the year under review, Elder has initiated a number of international alliances the full impact of which will be seen in the year 2007-08.  The year under review saw Elder enter into as many as 7 international alliances - the largest by any company - bringing in products from world leaders into India. During 2006-07, Elder has launched in India Advanced Bio-medical enviro-security products through tie-ups with M/s Medichem International of UK and with Sterisol AB of Sweden, Wound Care products through a tie-up with Rye Pharma of Australia and Oral Care products from M/s Farmaka of Italy. BON VIVA, a post menopausal osteoporosis drug belonging to F Hoffman La Roche, Switzerland is being marketed in India through a marketing tie-up and HIBOR an anti-thrombotic low molecular weight heparin has been launched through a tie-up with Laboratorios Farmaceuticos ROVI s.a. of Spain. The latest international alliance is with M/s Enzymotec of Israel for launch of CardiaBeat for CVD (Cardio Vascular Disease) risk reduction.

In Mar 07, Angelini ACRAF of Italy acquired additional shares of Elder through open market purchases thereby increasing its stake in Elder to slightly less than 15%

Elder Pharmaceuticals has presence in niche therapeutic segments like female healthcare, osteoporosis, Dermatology, pain management, Cardiology, diabetology, nutraceuticals and vitamin supplements. The company is a market leader in calcium supplement market through its brand Shelcal, which is ranked 23^rd amongst top 100 brands in India.

Elder has a judicious mix of Ethical and OTC products, self-owned and in-licensed products and probably offers the widest product range in the industry. With a network of over 3.5 lakh outlets across South Asia Elder's marketing network is also amongst the largest in the industry.

Sourced From: Sentinel Public Relations