Abraxis Bioscience Inc. said that first-quarter net income soared on higher sales of generic anesthetic and analgesic products, along with its proprietary breast cancer treatment Abraxane.

Excluding acquisition expenses, the Los Angeles-based biotech said Thursday that it earned 13 cents per share in the quarter ended March 31, Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected 21 cents.

The company earned $11.1 million (7 cents per share) on a GAAP basis, compared with $1.9 million (1 cent) in the same period a year ago. Revenue grew 47 percent to $212.2 million. Sales of Abraxane more than doubled to $70.9 million. Sales of hospital-based products, which include anti-infectives and critical care drugs, rose 24 percent to $140.3 million.

Research and development expense totaled $10.2 million in the quarter compared to $3.9 million a year ago. The company has more than 60 product candidates in various stages of development, in addition to studies seeking to expand Abraxane’s use.

In a separate announcement, Abraxis said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had approved its Clindamycin, the generic equivalent of Pfizer’s Cleocin Phosphate injection. Clindamycin treats serious infections such as streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci.

Abraxis shares on Thursday closed down $1.51, or 5.6 percent, to $25.47 on the Nasdaq.