The financial results of the first quarter of 2011 of Bristol-Myers Squibb are out and reports have definitely highlighted positive signs of strong growth and progress towards the business goals of the company. According to the reports, the company's net sales rose by 4% every year and it has finally reached a total of $5.01 billion (3.04 billion pounds), which has also allowed the firm to confirm its guidance for its full-year performance.

Though the firm met numerous key research and development milestones during the quarter including the achievement of US regulatory approval for the melanoma drug Yervoy along with receiving positive opinions from EU regulators on Eliquis and Nulojix, but they have finally achieved a big growth.

Lamberto Andreotti, Chief Executive Officer of Bristol-Myers Squibb, said he is further expecting big number of positive decisions from global healthcare regulators over the entire course of the year.

"The strength of our financial and research and development performance in the first quarter confirms our ability to execute our focused biopharmaceutical strategy and helps position us for long-term success," he further added in his statement.

Presently, Bristol-Myers Squibb is attending the American Transplant Congress in Philadelphia, where the company is showcasing about its new clinical data on belatacept, which is basically a drug for renal transplant patients.