By Maarten van Tartwijk Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES AMSTERDAM -(Dow Jones)- Dutch biotechnology firm Crucell NV (CRXL.AE) Tuesday stuck to its full-year outlook despite posting a steeper-than-expected drop in third-quarter net profit, hurt by income tax charges and lower income from its vaccine licenses. Crucell, which makes vaccines for influenza, children's diseases and hepatitis B, reported a third quarter net profit of EUR10 million, from EUR12.8 million a year earlier. Four analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires forecast net profit of EUR11.9 million. The bottom line figure was hurt by high income tax charges in Switzerland and South Korea, where Crucell has research & development and manufacturing facilities. Still, operating profit jumped to EUR15.5 million, from EUR9.6 million a year earlier. Total revenue and other operating income rose 15% to EUR94.3 million, mainly driven by strong sales of Quinvaxem, a vaccine for protection against five potentially deadly childhood diseases, including diphteria and tetanus. The Leiden-based company reiterated its guidance for 2009, saying it expects combined full-year total revenue and other operating income to grow by 20% at constant currencies. Crucell shares closed at EUR13.48 Monday. The stock has lost around 22% in the past three months, as takeover rumors subsided after the purchase of an 18% stake in Crucell in September by U.S. pharmaceuticals giant Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). Company Web Site: www.crucell.com - By Maarten van Tartwijk; Dow Jones Newswires; +31 20 571 5201; maarten.vantartwijk@dowjones.com
