Bayer Healthcare has published its results for the third quarter of 2009 and has revealed that sales rose by 3.5 per cent to a total of 3.936 million euros (3.565 million pounds). Its pharmaceuticals division was responsible for a sales rise of three per cent, it added, raising its worth to 2,548 million euros during the timeframe.

In particular, sales of Bayer's Aspirin Cardio product and its erectile dysfunction treatment Levitra also rose by 14.9 and 12.1 per cent respectively. Additionally, sales of the hemophilia treatment Kogenate increased by 3.4 per cent.

Chairman of the firm's management board Werner Wenning stated: "We are very pleased to have reversed the earnings trend despite the fact that many industries are still suffering from the economic crisis."

In other Bayer news this week, the firm announced the first set of winners of its inaugural Excellence in Science Awards. So far, three prizes have been allocated to outstanding individuals, who have each been presented with 10,000 euros.