Merck KGaA's fourth-quarter net profit more than doubles to US$355 mil.

Net profit rose to 272 million euros (US$355 million), from 133 million euros in the same quarter the year before. Revenues rose 8 percent to 2.83 billion euros.

The Darmstadt-based company said Thursday it was able to charge more for Rebif in the United States, increasing sales 7.5 percent to 1.89 billion euros. That offset slower sales growth for its Erbitux cancer drug.

Merck benefited from leaving profitable lines of business and regions in its consumer health division, which saw lower sales but higher profits as the company focused its efforts and investments on more lucrative products and regions. It outsourced the manufacturing and packaging of its Seven Seas brand cod liver oil products in Britain, for instance.

Earnings also received a boost from its business in liquid crystal materials used in flat panel displays. The performance materials division, where the liquid crystal business provides the bulk of sales, saw revenues grow 21 percent in the fourth quarter. The division's numbers were boosted 7 percent for all of last year due to the dollar's stronger exchange rate against the euro, which magnifies euro earnings figures. The division gets the bulk of its sales in dollars.

The company reported full-year profits decreased 7 percent to 567 million euros as the company took 504 million euros in non-repeating restructuring charges. Revenues rose 9 percent to 11.17 billion euros.

The company raised its dividend by 13 percent to 1.70 euros per share.

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