Novo Nordisk A/S: Novo Nordisk increased operating profit by 51% in the first nine months of 2015 to DKK 38.3 billion

16% local currency operating profit growth adjusted for the NNIT divestment

Sales increased by 23% in Danish kroner and by 9% in local currencies to DKK 79.1 billion.

•   Sales of Victoza^® increased by 39% (21% in local currencies).
• Ÿ  Sales of Levemir^® increased by 27% (10% in local currencies).
• Ÿ  Sales in North America increased by 33% (10% in local currencies).
• Ÿ  Sales in International Operations increased by 23% (17% in local currencies).
• Ÿ  Sales in Region China increased by 26% (5% in local currencies).

Gross margin improved by 1.8 percentage points in Danish kroner to 85.4% driven by a positive currency impact.

Operating profit increased by 51% in Danish kroner and by 26% in local currencies to DKK 38.3 billion. Adjusted for the DKK 2.4 billion non-recurring income related to the partial divestment of NNIT, operating profit in local currencies increased by 16%.

Net profit increased by 33% to DKK 26.6 billion. Diluted earnings per share increased by 36% to DKK 10.28. Adjusted for the partial divestment of NNIT, net profit and diluted earnings per share increased by 22% and 24% respectively.

In September, Novo Nordisk announced the US FDA approval of Tresiba^® and Ryzodeg^® 70/30 after the review of the class II resubmission of the New Drug Applications. 

For 2015, sales growth measured in local currencies is still expected to be 7-9%, whereas operating profit growth measured in local currencies is raised by 1 percentage point and now expected to be around 20%. 

The preliminary outlook for 2016 in local currencies indicates mid to high single-digit growth in sales and mid to high single-digit growth in operating profit adjusted for the non-recurring impact of the partial divestment of NNIT and the income related to the out-licensing of assets for inflammatory disorders, both in 2015. 

Lars Rebien Soerensen, president and CEO: "We are satisfied with the results of the first nine months of 2015. Sales growth was primarily driven by Victoza^® aided by the high growth of the GLP-1 market. In the third quarter, a significant milestone was achieved with the US FDA approval of Tresiba^®, and we look forward to launching Tresiba^® early 2016."  

Contacts for further information

Media:
Katrine Sperling	[phone]	[e-mail] (mailto:[e-mail])
Ken Inchausti (US)	[phone]	[e-mail] (mailto:[e-mail])
Investors:
Peter Hugreffe Ankersen	[phone]	[e-mail] (mailto:[e-mail])
Daniel Bohsen	[phone]	[e-mail] (mailto:[e-mail])
Melanie Raouzeos	[phone]	[e-mail] (mailto:[e-mail])
Kasper Veje	[phone]	[e-mail] (mailto:[e-mail])
Frank Daniel Mersebach (US)	[phone]	[e-mail] (mailto:[e-mail])

Company announcement No 65 / 2015

Company announcement No 65 / 2015 (http://hugin.info/2013/R/1962208/715621.pdf)

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Source: Novo Nordisk A/S via Globenewswire

HUG#1962208