Jazz Pharma reports strong second quarter growth

Jazz Pharma, the specialty drug group based in Ireland following its $500 million acquisition of Azur Pharma in 2012, has reported strong growth in its second quarter, driven by accelerating sales of sleep drug Xyrem and the new anticoagulant defibrotide.

Overall, Jazz reported revenue of $291.2 million, up almost 40 per cent year on year and adjusted net profit of $128 million, or $2.05 a share – ahead of expectations on both counts.

The bulk of turnover, $191.4 million, came from narcolepsy drug Xyrem. It also reported sales of $20.2 million from Defitelio/defibrotide, which is used to address complications in stem cell transplant patients.

Jazz has updated its guidance for the full year, with revenue now expected to come in at between $1.125 billion and $1.165 billion – compared to $1.055- $1.155 million previously.