MADRID, May 12 (Reuters) - Grifols's net profit almost

tripled from a year earlier, which the Spanish drugmaker said

reinforced its confidence in meeting its full-year guidance.

Reported group profit grew by 179% in the first three months

of the year to 60 million euros ($66.41 million) while adjusted

earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation

(EBITDA) grew 14.2% to 400 million euros, Grifols

said in a statement on Monday.

Net revenue rose 7.4% 1.79 billion euros in the first

quarter thanks to a strong performance from its plasma-derived

medicine business.

($1 = 0.9035 euros)

(Reporting by Charlie Devereux; editing by Inti Landauro)