Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline reported bumper profits of £6.2 billion for the last year, boosted by sales of its new asthma drug Advair.
The group - the product of the mega-merger between Glaxo Wellcome and Smithkline Beecham - said profits rose 12 per cent in the year to December 31, while sales rose 11 per cent to £20.5 billion.
Its Advair asthma drug, launched in April last year, generated sales of £850 million.
Chief executive Dr Jean-Pierre Garnier said the group was in an "exceptionally strong position".
The group is also expecting strong growth this year.
Glaxo said it had made savings of £750 million in 2001, including savings made following the Glaxo Wellcome/SmithKline Beecham merger, as well as from manufacturing restructuring plans.
Shares in GSK surged 3 per cent after the figures were published.
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