Sun Pharma Q4 cons PAT up 85% at Rs 820cr

Drug maker Sun Pharma posted a spectacular 85% jump in March quarter net profit at Rs 820 crore, driven by strong sales of its Israeli unit Taro.

However, the company said the increase in Taro sales will not be sustainable going forward as these were largely a result of price increases on select products in the US market.

Net sales of the company for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 stood at Rs 2,330 crore, up nearly 60% from the corresponding period previous fiscal.

Commenting on the quarter gone by,  Dilip Shanghvi, MD of Sun Pharma said, "Performance this year has been in line with our expectations and marginally ahead of our recently revised sales guidance. Though the year has seen a couple of non-recurring elements, the underlying business remains stead across all segments and capable of delivering long-term sustainable growth."

Interestingly, Dilip Shanghvi has stepped down from the chairmanship, while continuing to remain the managing director of the company.

According to the company press release, Israel Makov has been appointed as the chairman of the Sun Pharma at meeting of the Board of Directors of the company held on May 29, 2012. Makov also gets a seat on the board of directors of Sun Pharma.

Makov is the former President and CEO of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (2002-2007), widely credited with Teva's emergence as a global company and a world leader in generic pharmaceuticals.