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Biogen said profit from operations rose 42%...

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Bloomberg News

Biogen said profit from operations rose 42% in the first quarter to $65 million, or 41 cents a share--2 cents less than analysts’ consensus forecast. Sales rose 26% to $217 million.

Sales of Avonex, the world’s top-selling treatment for multiple sclerosis, rose 33% to $174.6 million, a performance that also disappointed analysts, helping to send Biogen’s shares down as much as 15% in after-hours trading.

“They’re about $5 million light in Avonex sales,” said Erik Anderson, fund manager at Sit Investment Associates in New York.

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The company announced results after markets closed. Before the results were released, Biogen closed off $2.06 at $65 on Nasdaq. The shares fell as low as $57 in after-hours trading.

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