Overall results for 2007 showed earnings before deductions were up to CHK408m (€257m) from CHK301m (€189m) last year. Total sales were also up by some 25 per cent to CHK2.8bn (€1.8bn).

The firm said today its nutrition ingredients, which fall under the Life Sciences Ingredients arm, showed a "strong business performance" driven by growth for nicotinates (vitamin B3).

Lonza had said it would put up the price of niacin and niacinamide twice last year by more than 10 per cent as a result of raw material increases. The main raw material for niacin and niacinamide, a substance derived from niacin, are petrochemicals. The price of oil last year rocketed to nearly $100 a barrel.

The food grade product of L-Carnitine, branded as Carnipure, grew in the US while sales in Japan were affected by a "volatile" beverage market.

As for the DHA business, Lonza said this experienced a "temporary set back" after it lost two court cases to do with patents.

The firm lost two patent infringement suits relating to its DHA fatty acid brought against it by US-based Martek Biosciences Corp.

Lonza always maintained it has not infringed any patents.

The firm said today that: "while such rulings are being appealed by Lonza in both cases, Lonza is preparing to enter the US market in conformity with the decision of the US judge."

However, the Exclusive Synthesis and Biopharmaceuticals arm continued was the main earner for the firm. In 2007, the sector increased sales by nearly a third and bringing home CHK1.4bn (€0.9bn).

Lonza also announced it will create a new organisation - Lonza Innovation for Future Technology - which will help deliver long-term breakthroughs.

This group is expected to be funded with a budget in the "low double-digit millions" and it is expected to be five to eight years in developing new ideas.