BENGALURUHYDERABAD, Jan 31 Reuters India39;s largest drugmaker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries reported thirdquarter profit above estimates on Wednesday, driven by strong sales in the key domestic and U.S. markets.

The company reported a consolidated profit after tax of 25.24 billion rupees 304 million for the quarter ended Dec. 31, beating analysts39; estimate of 24.17 billion rupees as per LSEG data.

Sales in its U.S. formulations business rose nearly 15 to 39.74 billion rupees, while sales from its India formulations rose more than 11 to 37.79 billion rupees.

Both businesses together account for more than half of the company39;s total sales.

Sun Pharma makes generic and specialty medications for chronic and acute treatments, overthecounter medications, antiretrovirals, and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Its global specialty drug sales were 296 million, up 24 excluding a 39;milestone39; of 20 million, the company said, without offering further details. Speciality drugs are costlier and are used to treat complex chronic diseases.

Revenue from operations rose 10 to 123.81 billion rupees in the December quarter.

Sun Pharma39;s results follow Dr Reddy39;s and Cipla, both of whom beat their respective thirdquarter profit estimates.

Shares of Sun Pharma rose 3.5 after results. During the reporting quarter, the shares rose 8.7.

1 83.0000 Indian rupees

Reporting by Kashish Tandon in Bengaluru and Rishika Sadam in Hyderabad; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala and Varun H…