Ipsen H1 sales up 7.9%; net profit down 13.4%

French drugmaker Ipsen (Euronext: IPN) on Friday posted a 7.9% rise in first-half 2015 sales driven by a strong 12% growth of specialty care, especially due to its top-selling Somatuline (lanreotide), to treat gastrointestinal and pancreatic tumors.

The company reported group sales of 713.9 million euros ($781.43 million). Consolidated net profit dropped 13.4% to 90.5 million euros versus 104.5 million euros year ago. Core operating income rose 3.5% boosted by investment in neuroendocrine tumors. Core operating income stood at 167.6 million euros, up 3.5%. Earnings per share fell to 1.10 euro against 1.27 euros a year ago.

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