Sartorius Stedim Biotech sees single-use gains in H1; North American revs dip

Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB) has revised its full year guidance after its range of single-use products drove revenue gains in the first half of 2011.

The firm, which makes development, processing and quality assurance technologies for the biopharmaceutical sector, saw revenue increase 9.7 per cent to €230m in the six months to June 31. Earnings increased nearly 23 per cent to $38.6m.

SSB attributed the gains to an upsurge in demand for its single-use biomanufacturing technologies, particularly its range of processing filters which are used during the production of biologic pharmaceuticals.

On a regional basis the France-headquartered firm saw the biggest gains in Asia-Pacific with revenues increasing some 36.7 per cent to €43.6m.

However, despite the Asia-Pacific growth, Europe was still SSB’s biggest market providing some €123.4m of its revenue, which is an increase of 8.8 per cent on the first six months of 2010.

In contrast SSB’s sales in North American were down, falling 2.7 per cent to €54m.

Despite this, SSB raised its guidance for the full year 2011, predicting that revenue will be between 8 and 10 per cent higher than in 2010 with margins increasing by 17 to 18 per cent.

The firm declined to provide in-Pharmatechnologist.com with additional information ahead of its webcast later this afternoon.

Group results

The growth is in keeping with that seen in the wider Sartorius group in the six months to June 31, during which revenue increased 12 per cent to €353.7m and operating earnings increased 40.7 per cent to €51.1m