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Biogen Idec Inc. said first-quarter profit almost tripled on lower costs and higher sales of treatments for cancer and multiple sclerosis.

Net income jumped to $123 million, or 36 cents a share, from $43.5 million, or 12 cents, a year earlier when the Cambridge company had costs related to its withdrawal of the multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri. Revenue increased 4 percent to $611.2 million.

Sales of the Avonex MS treatment, introduced in 1996, rose 5 percent to $393 million. US regulators are to decide by the end of June on the return to market of Tysabri.

The company was expected to earn 48 cents a share, based on the average estimate in a Thomson Financial survey of 20 analysts. (Bloomberg)