Scios Says Drug’s Sales in ’03 to Beat Forecasts

Scios Inc., the company being bought by Johnson & Johnson, said 2003 sales of its Natrecor heart drug will rise to as much as $185 million, higher than it had forecast.

Natrecor sales probably will be $180 million to $185 million, more than the company’s previous range of $160 million to $170 million, Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Scios said.

Scios’ fourth-quarter loss narrowed to $18.5 million, or 40 cents a share, from $28.8 million, or 63 cents, in the same period of 2001.

Scios’ shares closed at $43.65, down 9 cents, on Nasdaq.