Specialty foods group Numico said on Wednesday it will continue research into special foods for people with HIV and Aids. Preliminary results from clinical trials are encouraging and more research involving 1,000 people will be completed in 2010, Numico said.

Numico booked net profit of €74m in the first quarter of 2007, compared with €47m in the year-earlier period. Sales rose 6.5% to €674m. Strong earnings in Europe boosted sales at Numico’s clinical foods division 14%, while baby foods rose 8%.