Novo Nordisk increased operating profit by 15% in the first six months of 2013
Posted: 8 August 2013 | | No comments yet
Sales growth of 11% driven by Victoza®, NovoRapid® and Levemir®…
Sales growth of 11% driven by Victoza®, NovoRapid® and Levemir®
- Sales increased by 14% in local currencies and by 11% in Danish kroner to DKK 41.4 billion.
- Sales of modern insulins increased by 15% (13% in Danish kroner).
- Sales of Victoza® increased by 32% (30% in Danish kroner).
- Sales in North America increased by 23% (21% in Danish kroner).
- Sales in International Operations increased by 17% (12% in Danish kroner).
Gross margin improved by 0.9 percentage points in Danish kroner to 82.6%, reflecting a favourable price and product mix development.
Operating profit increased by 19% in local currencies and by 15% in Danish kroner to DKK 16.1 billion.
Net profit increased by 27% to DKK 12.7 billion. Diluted earnings per share increased by 30% to DKK 23.43.
The launch of Tresiba® (insulin degludec), the once-daily new-generation insulin with an ultra-long duration of action continues. Tresiba® has now also been commercially launched in Mexico and Switzerland. In the US, Novo Nordisk has received feedback from FDA on the clinical trial protocol for the cardiovascular outcomes trial for Tresiba® confirming the previously announced expectations to trial design.
Novo Nordisk has now successfully completed the SCALE(TM) phase 3a clinical programme investigating the efficacy and safety of liraglutide 3 mg for the treatment of obesity. Novo Nordisk expects to file liraglutide 3 mg for regulatory review in the US and EU around the turn of the year.
For 2013, expectations to operating performance have been raised. Sales growth measured in local currencies is now expected to be 11-13%, whereas operating profit growth measured in local currencies is now expected to be 12-15%.
Lars Rebien Sørensen, president and CEO: “We are pleased with the strong results in the first six months of 2013. Our portfolio of modern insulins and Victoza® are driving solid sales growth. Based on the feedback from FDA in the US regarding the design of the cardiovascular outcomes trial for Tresiba®, we now expect to start the trial before the end of the year.”
