Seoul: Samsung Biologics Co., the biotechnology division of the Samsung Group, announced on Wednesday a significant rise in its first-quarter net income, which saw a 41.6 percent increase from the previous year, reaching 469.2 billion won (approximately US$317.7 million).

According to Yonhap News Agency, the company revealed in a regulatory filing that its operating profit for the period spanning January to March saw a 35 percent year-on-year growth, amounting to 580.8 billion won. Meanwhile, sales experienced a 25.8 percent increase, totaling 1.25 trillion won.

The reported operating profit was consistent with the average forecast compiled by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data firm affiliated with Yonhap News Agency. However, the anticipated net profit figures were not disclosed in the survey.