Lonza's core profits rose 9.5% to $720.6m in H1

Its pharma biotech & nutrition segment recorded 10.8% sales growth.

Swiss biotech and pharma company Lonza saw profits climb 9.5% YoY to $720.6m (CHF520m) in H1 2019 from $658.2m (CHF475m) in 2018, an SGX filing revealed.

Its total sales went up 6.4% YoY to $4.12b (CHF2.98b) from $3.87b (CHF2.8b) in H1 2018 whilst its EBITDA rose 7.7% YoY to $1.15b (CHF828m) on the back of positive performance from its pharma biotech & nutrition segment, which reported 10.8% YoY sales growth to $2.89b (CHF2.09b).

Earnings per share edged up $9.70 (CHF7) from $8.81 (CHF6.36) in H1 2018.

On the other hand, Lonza’s specialty ingredients segment sales dipped 3.8% YoY to $1.19b (CHF859m) from $1.24b (CHF893m) in H1 2018, no thanks to the decline in sales of its microbial-control and wood protection businesses.

Lonza noted that they are expecting a recovery of the said segment’s sales in H2.