Driven by strong sales growth in the US, Ranbaxy Laboratories today reported a consolidated

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profit after tax of Rs 262 crore for the quarter ended December, 2009.

It had registered a loss of Rs 679.8 crore in the same quarter a year ago.

The company said its sales during the quarter were at Rs 2,269.9 crore against Rs 1,909.6 crore in the same period previous year.

"We realised various opportunities, while continuing to manage key challenges. Good revenue growth in most key geographies, launch of two First-to-File (FTFs) in USA, and continued cost containment, have ensured consistent quarter-on-quarter improvement in performance," Ranbaxy Laboratories CEO and Managing Director Atul Sobti said.

FTFs are first applications made to the US Food and Drugs Administration for approval of generic versions of branded drugs, whose patents are about to expire and if passed, the company gets 180 days of exclusive marketing rights.

In USA, sales during the quarter grew by 78 per cent to USD 158 million (Rs 755.7 crore), it said.

The India pharma business recorded sales of Rs 333.4 crore, a growth of 6 per cent over the same period a year ago.

Its European sales stood at USD 80 million (Rs 376.7 crore), a growth of 2 per cent from the year-ago period.

For the year ended December, the company's PAT stood at USD 64 million (Rs 310.7 crore), while sales were at were USD 1,519 million (Rs 7344.1 crore).