Shasun Chem sees Jan-March net profit up 42-48 pct

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Drug firm Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Ltd expects a 42-48 percent rise in consolidated net profit for the March quarter on higher contribution from its UK unit, a senior official said on Wednesday.

For the fourth quarter, the company is expected to register a net profit of 250-260 million rupees, wholetime director Vimal Kumar told Reuters.

"The contribution from the UK business was low in the third quarter because of the product mix," Kumar said. "In the fourth quarter, contribution from higher-margin products will kick in."

For the full year, Shasun's net profit is seen at 300-320 million rupees, down 39-43 percent from last year, as it has been hit by the double whammy of a rising rupee and the termination of a key supply contract for its nizatidine bulk drug.