news

Increased operating profit in local currencies by 15% in the first quarter of 2014

Posted: 1 May 2014 | | No comments yet

7% sales growth in local currencies driven by Levemir® and Victoza®…

Novo Nordisk Logo

Sales increased by 7% in local currencies and by 2% in Danish kroner to DKK 20.3 billion.

  • Sales of modern insulin increased by 10% (4% in Danish kroner).
  • Sales of Victoza® increased by 13% (9% in Danish kroner).
  • Sales in North America increased by 7% (3% in Danish kroner).
  • Sales in International Operations increased by 12% (decreased by 2% in Danish kroner).
  • Sales in Region China increased by 18% (15% in Danish kroner).

Gross margin improved by 1.1 percentage points in Danish kroner to 83.0% driven by a favourable price development as well as a positive impact from productivity and product mix.

Operating profit increased by 15% in local currencies and by 6% in Danish kroner to DKK 8.0 billion.

Net profit increased by 8% to DKK 6.5 billion. Diluted earnings per share increased by 10% to DKK 2.43.

The roll-out of Tresiba® (insulin degludec), the once-daily new-generation insulin with an ultra-long duration of action, is progressing. In the first countries to launch Tresiba® with reimbursement on a similar level as insulin glargine, it now represents between 10% and 17% of the basal insulin market measured in monthly value market share.

Recruitment for the cardiovascular outcomes trial for Tresiba®, DEVOTE, is progressing ahead of plans and Novo Nordisk now expects to have sufficient data to support an interim analysis mid-2015.

For 2014, sales growth measured in local currencies is now expected to be 7-10%, whereas expected operating profit growth measured in local currencies is maintained at around 10%.

Lars Rebien Sørensen, CEO: “We are pleased to reiterate our expectations to operating profit growth for 2014 despite a challenging start of the year and a lower outlook for sales growth. We are encouraged by the performance of Tresiba® in key markets and by the rapid recruitment into the DEVOTE study, which enables us to shorten the timeline for the interim analysis and a potential US launch.”

Related organisations

Related people