Eisai returns to profit after MGI acquisition

Eisai has returned to profit for its fiscal 2009, after its $3.9-billion takeover of MGI Pharma (Marketletter February 4, 2008) drove it to loss  in the year-earlier, 12-month period.

Japan's fourth-largest pharmaceutical firm generated 781.7 billion yen  ($82.1 million) in revenue, up 7%. The company's net income was 47.68  billion yen, versus a loss of 17.0 billion yen.

While sales of Aricept (donepezil) rose 4% to 303.8 billion yen, the  proton pump inhibitor Pariet/Aciphex (rabeprazole) fell 9% to 159.88  billion yen due to generic competition in the USA. Monoclonal antibody  Humira (adalimumab), launched in June last year, earned 1.9 billion yen  and is forecast to generate 7.5 billion yen by the end of fiscal 2009.  Domestic sales were up 6% to 332.45 billion yen