The group recorded EUR 72.2 million in operating profit, a 17% year-on-year increase, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) amounted to EUR 99.9 million, a 10.5% improvement.

Krka generated EUR 378.5 million through product sales, with revenue from contracts with customers on sales of products and services amounting to EUR 377.3 million. Revenue from contracts with customers on sales of materials and other sales revenue constituted the difference, the company said.

The group, which generates 94% of its sales on foreign markets, saw growth in all regions, but the largest absolute increase was recorded in East Europe, where sales grew by 15% to EUR 122.1 million.

Sales in Russia totalled EUR 77.5 million, a 4% increase, while in Ukraine, product sales added up to EUR 18.9 million, a 76% improvement.

In Central Europe, sales were up 6% to EUR 85.9 million, with Poland accounting for EUR 39.8 million, in West Europe by 14% to EUR 84.3 million and in SE Europe also by 14% to EUR 50.4 million.

In overseas markets Krka generated product sales of EUR 12.6 million, 16% more than in the first quarter last year.

Krka recorded 13% growth in the sales of prescription pharmaceuticals, which generated a total of EUR 314.4 million or 83.3% of total sales.

The Krka group, which has 11,370 full-time employees and a combined workforce of 12,509, 27% more than at the end of 2018, spent EUR 23.7 million on investment in the first quarter, EUR 19.6 million of which went into the controlling company.

The Novo Mesto-based core company saw sales revenue decrease by roughly 1% to EUR 327.1 million, while net profit was up 25.3% to EUR 65.3 million.

Krka expects to generate EUR 1.375 billion in sales revenue in 2019 and EUR 172 million in net profit. The workforce is expected to grow by another 4%, while investment in planned to total at EUR 124 million.