New Delhi, Apr 22: Pharma major, Biocon Ltd, today said its net profit for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2008 had increased by 31.19 per cent to Rs 62.03 crore as compared to the last year's Rs 47.28 crore in the corresponding quarter.

Its total income, however, decreased two per cent to Rs 236.7 crore for the fourth quarter this year from Rs 241.45 crore in the same quarter last year. For the year ended March 31, 2008 its net profit increased by 175 per cent to Rs 434.94 crore for the year ended March 31, 2008 as compared to Rs 158.35 crore last year. Its Total Income for FY08 increased by 7.66 per cent to Rs 929.21 crore from Rs 863.09 crore last fiscal.

The group's Consolidated results showed an increase of 7.57 per cent in its net profit to Rs 65.3 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2008 as compared to Rs 60.7 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. Its Total Income has decreased marginally to Rs 279.22 crore for the Q4FY08 from Rs 279.42 crore in the same period last year.

For the Year ended March 31, 2008 the Group has posted a net profit of Rs 463.91 crore for the year ended March 31, 2008 as compared to Rs 200.25 crore last year, an increase of 131 per cent.

Its Total Income FY08 has increased 10.17 per cent to Rs 1090.2 crore for the year ended March 31, 2008 from Rs 989.55 crore last fiscal.

Biocon in a statement said its Board has approved the issue of Bonus Shares in the ratio of 1:1.

The Board has also recommended a dividend for the year ar Rs three per equity share (60 per cent) and a special dividend of Rs two per share (40 per cent).

UNI