Novo Nordisk increases 2013 guidance for third time

For the third time in 2013, Danish pharma company Novo Nordisk has raised its full-year guidance following successful double-digit sales growth in diabetes drugs and modern insulin, Victoza, NovoRapid and Levemir. In the first six months of 2013, Novo Nordisk has increased its operating profit by 15%.

Novo Nordisk is the world leader in diabetes care and now holds a global value market share of 27% compared to 25% at the same time the year before.

"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."

Lars Rebien Sørensen, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk.

Tresiba, Novo Nordisk's once-daily new-generation insulin with an ultra-long duration of action, was commercially launched in Mexico and Switzerland this quarter. It has already been launched in the UK, Denmark and Japan. In the US, Novo Nordisk has received feedback from the US FDA on the clinical trial protocol for the cardiovascular outcomes trial for Tresiba, confirming the previously announced expectations to trial design.

Also this quarter, phase 3 clinical trial of liraglutide were successfully completed and Novo Nordisk expects to file the drug for regulatory review in the US and EU around the turn of the year.

For full-year 2013, sales growth measured in local currencies is expected to be 11-13%, whereas operating profit growth measured in local currencies is now expected to be 12-15%.