Drug company Ajanta Pharma today reported 75.95 per cent increase in net profit to Rs 32.57 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2012, mainly on robust sales.

The company had posted a net profit of Rs 18.51 crore for the corresponding period previous fiscal.

Net sales of the company rose to Rs 225.68 for the quarter under consideration from Rs 164.52 crore for the same period last fiscal, Ajanta Pharma said in a BSE filing.

"The company recently received market authorisation in UK for Slidenafil tablets 50 mg and 100 mg. Company expects to launch the same in UK when it goes off patent in June 2013," Ajanta Pharma said.

Shares of Ajanta Pharma were trading at Rs 490.65 apiece in the afternoon trade on the BSE, a steep 19.99 per cent rise from their previous close.