Trinity Biotech plc announced the appointment of Eric Brouwer, PhD, as Chief Scientific Officer, and Vice President Cardiac. Previously, Brouwer led product development at Abbott Point-of-Care. He brings extensive leadership experience in creating, developing and launching FDA approved products for the point-of-care in vitro diagnostics market. At Abbott, he was a member of the Scientific Governing Board. As CSO and VP Cardiac, Brouwer will lead product development in the company's Cardiac Marker and Infectious Diseases Point-of-Care businesses. Jim Walsh, who previously held the positions of both Business Development Director and CSO, will now focus on business development with an emphasis on the identification and execution of suitable acquisition targets.

The company is proposing a annual dividend of 22 cents per ADR (5.5 cents per 'A' ordinary share), which is consistent with the dividend paid in 2014. The payment of this dividend is subject to shareholder approval, which will be sought at the company's forthcoming AGM to be held on June 5, 2015. Subject to this approval being granted, the record date will be June 9, 2015 and payment will follow approximately 3 weeks later.

The company announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015. For the quarter, the company reported revenues of $25,240,000 compared to $25,025,000 a year ago. Operating profit was $4,335,000 compared to $4,504,000 a year ago. Profit before tax was $4,312,000 compared to $4,527,000 a year ago. Profit for the period was $4,008,000 compared to $4,413,000 a year ago. Diluted earnings per ADR were 17.0 cents compared to 18.2 cents a year ago. Cash generated from operations was $1,976,000 compared to $781,000 a year ago. Capital expenditure & financing (net) was $4,113,000 compared to $5,042,000 a year ago. Negative free cash flow was $2,245,000 compared to $4,259,000 a year ago. Excluding this currency effect, revenues would have increased to $26.4 million, representing an increase of 6%.