The Bayer Group continued to grow sales in the second quarter of 2015 and significantly increased earnings. Sales of HealthCare increased by 28.0 percent (Fx & portfolio adj. 8.3 percent) to EUR 5,908 million in the second quarter (Q2 2014: EUR 4,615 million). "This increase was largely due to the gratifying sales performance of our recently launched pharmaceutical products," Dekkers explained. "In the Consumer Health segment, too, we achieved solid organic growth to which all divisions contributed." The considerable reported increase was chiefly attributable to sales of products acquired from Merck & Co., Inc., United States, and to currency effects.
Sales of the Pharmaceuticals segment rose by a substantial 10.7 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.) to EUR 3,492 million. The recently launched products - the anticoagulant Xarelto™, the eye medicine Eylea™, the cancer drugs Stivarga™ and Xofigo™, and Adempas™ to treat pulmonary hypertension - continued to experience dynamic growth, posting combined sales of EUR 1,051 million (Q2 2014: EUR 702 million). Sales of Xarelto™ rose by 42.6 percent (Fx adj.) thanks to substantial volume increases in all regions. Eylea™ posted further robust gains, with sales up by 49.1 percent (Fx adj.). Among the established best-selling products, the 14.3 percent (Fx adj.) improvement in sales of the blood-clotting drug Kogenate™ was chiefly attributable to shifts in order patterns. The hormone-releasing intrauterine devices of the Mirena™ product family posted encouraging development, with sales up by 11.1 percent (Fx adj.). Sales of the multiple sclerosis drug Betaferon™/Betaseron™ were down by 8.8 percent (Fx. adj.) overall, due partly to increased competition in Europe and the United States. The Pharmaceuticals business as a whole grew in all regions on a currency-adjusted basis.
Sales of the Consumer Health segment rose by 4.0 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.) to EUR 2,416 million. At Consumer Care, business with the products acquired from Merck & Co., Inc., United States, totaled EUR 528 million. The Bepanthen™/Bepanthol™ line of skincare products also developed positively, with sales up by 6.9 percent (Fx adj.). The Seresto™ flea and tick collar made a significant contribution to growth in the Animal Health Division. Sales of the Advantage™ family of flea, tick and worm control products increased by 3.9 percent (Fx adj.). In the contrast agents and medical equipment business (Medical Care), the MRI contrast agent Gadovist™/Gadavist™ posted significant growth of 12.1 percent (Fx adj.) following its registration in additional indications.
EBITDA before special items of HealthCare increased by a substantial 27.5 percent to EUR 1,675 million (Q2 2014: EUR 1,314 million) thanks to the continued very good business development at Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Health, which at Consumer Care was due mainly to the acquired businesses. There were also positive currency effects of approximately EUR 110 million. Earnings were held back mainly by an increase in research and development expenses at Pharmaceuticals.
Bayer: Science For A Better Life
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, agriculture and high-tech polymer materials. As an innovation company, it sets trends in research-intensive areas. Bayer's products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2014, the Group employed 118,900 people and had sales of EUR 42.2 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.5 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 3.6 billion.