Trinity Biotech, the clinical diagnostic product manufacturer, yesterday announced a 13 per cent increase in revenues for the second quarter of the year.

However, its pre-tax profits for the period fell to $1.364 million (€1.12 million), down from $1.686 million during the same period last year.

The company indicated this was mainly due to an increase in administrative expenses, as well as increased research and development (R&D) costs.

During the three month period ending June 30th 2005, Trinity Biotech's revenues increased by 13.2 per cent to $22.7 million, compared with $20 million during the equivalent period in 2004.

But the company said R&D expenses had increased from $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2004 to $1.3 million in the current quarter.

It added that the increase in its administrative costs, from $7.2 million in the second quarter of 2004 to $8 million in the current year, was primarily attributable to the increased salesforce in the USA and the recent RDI acquisition.

The net effect of this was an operating profit of $1.67 million for the quarter, compared to $1.44 million in the previous three months, equating to an earnings per ADR (American Depositary Receipt) of a quarter of 8.4 cents.

Commenting on the results, chief executive Ronan O'Caoimh said the company was "particularly pleased" with the ongoing success of its HIV point-of care business in both Africa and the US markets.

"(This) has grown by 48 per cent in the first half of the year, as compared to the same period last year," he said.