Sales of the Bayer Group rose by 5.3 percent in the first quarter to EUR 8,316 million (Q1 2009: EUR 7,895 million). Adjusted for currency and portfolio effects, business grew by 6.2 percent.

Boehringer Ingelheim continued to grow in 2009, increasing its net sales by 9.7% to EUR 12.7 billion (2008: EUR 11.6 billion). This was announced by the company at its Annual Press Conference. Even without taking into account positive currency effects, growth was once again above the average growth for the worldwide pharmaceutical market, at 6.7%.

Diabetes affects more than 23 million people in the United States today and another 54 million people have pre-diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Group sales grew 9% in local currencies (6% in Swiss francs; 15% in US dollars) to 12.2 billion Swiss francs. The Pharmaceuticals Division's sales increased 10% in local currencies (6% in Swiss francs; 15% in US dollars) to 9.7 billion Swiss francs, maintaining its above-market growth.

Reported operating profit increased by 15% to DKK 4,382 million. Adjusted for the impact from currencies, operating profit in local currencies increased by around 20%.

Novartis delivered a strong performance in the first quarter of 2010 - particularly the rapid expansion of recently launched products and important regulatory approvals achieved for new medicines and vaccines - as the Group made progress with a sharp focus on innovation, growth and productivity.

The World Bank and Pfizer Inc. announced they will collaborate to improve the healthcare infrastructure, specifically the supply chain, in developing countries, starting with Africa.