Novo Nordisk's sales increased by 27% in Danish kroner and by 25% at constant exchange rates to DKK 53.4 billion in the first three months of 2023


Financial report for the period 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023

4 May 2023                                                                                                                                                                                

  • Operating profit increased by 31% in Danish kroner and by 28% at constant exchange rates (CER) to DKK 25.0 billion.
  • Sales in North America Operations increased by 47% in Danish kroner (41% at CER). Wholesaler inventory movements in the US positively impacted sales growth. Sales in International Operations increased by 9% in Danish kroner (10% at CER).
  • Sales within Diabetes and Obesity care increased by 33% in Danish kroner to DKK 48.8 billion (31% at CER), mainly driven by GLP-1 diabetes sales growth of 54% in Danish kroner (50% at CER). Rare disease sales decreased by 15% measured in Danish kroner (16% at CER) reflecting a temporary reduction in manufacturing output.
  • Obesity care sales grew by 131% in Danish Kroner to DKK 7.8 billion (124% at CER) mainly driven by the uptake of Wegovy® in the US. A second contract manufacturer for Wegovy® initiated production in April 2023.
  • Within R&D, Novo Nordisk successfully completed the PIONEER PLUS phase 3 trial with oral semaglutide 25 mg and 50 mg demonstrating superior reductions in HbA1c and body weight versus 14 mg in people with type 2 diabetes.
  • On 13 April 2023, the 2023 outlook was raised with sales and operating profit growth at CER now expected to be 24-30% and 28-34%, respectively. Sales and operating profit growth reported in Danish kroner are now expected to be 6 and 9 percentage points lower than at CER, respectively. The ongoing share repurchase programme is expanded by DKK 2 billion to DKK 30 billion.
PROFIT AND LOSSQ1 2023Q1 2022Growth
as reported
Growth
at CER*
DKK million    
Net sales                            53,367                              42,031  27%  25% 
Operating profit                            25,007                              19,147  31%  28% 
     
Net profit                            19,814                              14,210  39%  N/A
Diluted earnings per share (in DKK)                                  8.78                                    6.22  41%  N/A
* CER: Constant exchange rates (average 2022).    

Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, president and CEO: "We are very pleased with the sales growth in the first three months of 2023. The growth is driven by increasing demand for our GLP-1-based diabetes and obesity treatments, particularly in the US where the prescription trend for Wegovy® highlights the high unmet need for people living with obesity. The sales momentum and continued expansion of the supply capacity have enabled us to raise the outlook for the full year."

On 4 May 2023 at 13.00 CEST, corresponding to 07.00 am EDT, an earnings call will be held. Investors will be able to listen in via a link on novonordisk.com, which can be found under ‘Investors’.

About Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic diseases such as obesity and rare blood and endocrine disorders. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 57,100 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (Novo-B). Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NVO). For more information, visit novonordisk.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Contacts for further information 
Media: 
Ambre James-Brown

+45 3079 9289
abmo@novonordisk.com
Natalia Salomao Abrahao (US)

+1 848 304 1027
niaa@novonordisk.com
   
Investors: 
Daniel Muusmann Bohsen

+45 3075 2175
dabo@novonordisk.com

David Heiberg Landsted

+45 3077 6915
dhel@novonordisk.com

Jacob Martin Wiborg Rode

+45 3075 5956
jrde@novonordisk.com

Mark Joseph Root (US)

+1 848 213 3219
mjhr@novonordisk.com

Company announcement No 30 / 2023

Attachment



Attachments

PR230504-Q1-earnings