Durlacher Corporation - the European research-driven investment and securities group focused on emerging technologies and media - has announced pre tax profits of £12.2 million for the year to June 30 - an increase of 356 per cent on last year. Turnover was up from £13.2 million last year to £28.5 million and its market capitalisation has increased to £320 million, up from £64 million. Durlacher also announced it is to set up a JV with German venture outfit, bmp AG, to invest in emerging biological sciences.

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Nestle, Danone , Henkel and SAP are to launch Europe's first online consumer goods b2b portal, it emerged yesterday. Those involved reckon the e-marketplace could handle £17.75 billion in sales a year by 2003. ®

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