A STRONG performance in the US helped GlaxoSmithKline bank annual profits of £7.8bn, as sales of its asthma and diabetes drugs continued to rise.
At the same time as the 16% rise in annual profits, the group posted an upbeat outlook statement for the year ahead with five new products planned for launch, including its vaccine to prevent cervical cancer Cervarix and Tykerb, an oral treatment for breast cancer.
The company added it also has a further 25 products now in late development stage.
Total pharmaceutical sales in the year to December 31 grew 9% to £20.1 billion, driven by a 16% increase in the US to £10.4 billion.
In Europe, vaccine sales helped drive growth, offsetting the impact of increased competition formany of its products including Zofran, used to treat nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.
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