The health company, Disetronic, has seen its first quarter sales rise by 19.5 per cent and says it also expects a substantial rise in full year net profits.

The canton Berne-based company, which specialises in infusion and injection systems, said sales rose to SFr69.9 million ($41 million) from SFr58.5 million for the first quarter which ran until June.

It said it expected strong growth throughout the business year with a further acceleration in the second half.

"The new products already launched or about to be introduced by the Infusion Systems division should have an increasingly positive impact, while the good inflow of orders for Pharma Packaging Systems points to a clear upturn in sales," the company said in a statement.

It said the Injection Systems division would also remain on the growth track, but at a slower rate.

"From today's standpoint, all the conditions are in place for another substantial increase in net profit in the 2000/01 business year," the company added.

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