Alkermes loss rises to $77m in first quarter

Biopharma company reports sales of $156 million, down from $161 million in 2015

Chief executive of Alkermes Richard Pops in their Dublin offices: the firm’s  net loss  jumped to $77.4 million from $30.7 million. Photograph: Aidan Crawley
Chief executive of Alkermes Richard Pops in their Dublin offices: the firm’s net loss jumped to $77.4 million from $30.7 million. Photograph: Aidan Crawley

Biopharma group Alkermes has reported a sharp increase in its net loss in the first quarter on the back of increased investment in its late-stage pipeline.

The company, domiciled in Dublin since its acquisition of Elan Drug Technologies, is focused on diseases of the central nervous system.

In the three months to the end of March, it reported sales of $156.8 million. While this is down on the $161.2 million in the same quarter last year, it includes $19.2 million relating to a plant that has since been sold.

The net loss at the business jumped to $77.4 million, or 51 cents a share, from $30.7 million, or 21 cents a share in the year ago period.

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Chief financial officer James Frates highlighted "robust" growth in sales of its Vivitrol drug for opioid and/or alcohol dependence and the launch of schizophrenia drug Aristada.

“With our strong financial position and growing commercial portfolio, we are well positioned to invest in our advancing pipeline,” he said, adding the the Dublin-headquartered company was reiterating its financial expectations for 2016.

Dominic Coyle

Dominic Coyle

Dominic Coyle is Deputy Business Editor of The Irish Times