Basel, Switzerland — Lonza issued a press release boasting a record first quarter in 2017 in terms of sales and earnings, resulting from the strong performance of its Pharma/Biotech and Specialty Ingredients segments.

“Following the record results last year, we have been able to continue our success into 2017. The major drivers were again the businesses along the entire healthcare continuum,” said Richard Ridinger, CEO of Lonza in the press release. “We are using this strong momentum to make the necessary investments into future-oriented projects that will continue to bring us closer to the goal of becoming a leading supplier within the healthcare continuum and our various specialty ingredients markets. The expected close of the Capsugel acquisition in Q2 will help us to get there faster.”

Says the company, within the specialty ingredients segment, consumer care started off positively due to increased focus on consumer health and nutrition in addition to the acquisition of InterHealth, which closed September 2016, but is already complementing Lonza’s portfolio. The firm also attributes its performance to the ongoing demand in the Hygiene business and the momentum of vitamin B3.

Based on its current performance and the performance in 2016, Lonza’s 2017 outlook is positive, predicting high-single digit sales growth.