Sanofi-aventis, the world's third largest pharma company with sales of Euro 27.6 billion, has managed to improve its bottom line despite lower sales during the year ended December 2008. The company's net profit improved by 3.2 per cent to Euro 7,186 million from Euro 6,961 million in the previous year. Its net sales declined by 1.7 per cent to Euro 27,568 million from Euro 28,052 million. The earning per share improved to Euro 5.49 from Euro 5.17 in the previous year.

AstraZeneca Plc has posted satisfactory performance during the year ended December 2008 on account of significant growth in emerging market. The company's net profit improved by 8.9 per cent to US$ 6130 million from $5,627 million in the previous year. Its revenues increased by 6.9 per cent to $31,601 million from 29,559 million. With better growth in profits, its earning per share improved to $4.20 from $3.74 in the preceding year.

Torrent Pharmaceuticals announced a 36.03% rise in consolidated net profit of Rs.507 million for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2008 as against Rs 372.7 million in quarter ended Dec. 31, 2007.