The improvement of 36% was driven by strong sales of paediatric vaccines, in particular by Quinvaxem, higher sales of travel vaccines and higher license fees and other income.
Gross margin was 40% in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 23% for the same quarter of 2007. Net loss for the first quarter of 2008 was E9 million versus a net loss of E18.5 million for the same quarter of 2007, primarily due to stronger sales and the partial reversal of the impairment.
Ronald Brus, Crucell’s CEO said: “In the first quarter we saw strong sales of our paediatric and travel vaccines. We are particularly excited to have received additional Quinvaxem contracts, which further confirm the significant growth expected for Quinvaxem in 2008.”