A collection of injector pens for the Saxenda weight reduction drug are proven on this picture illustration in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., March 31, 2023.
Jim Vondruska | Reuters
Novo Nordisk, which makes the weight-loss drug Wegovy, raised its outlook for 2023 Thursday, because it reported hovering gross sales.
The Danish pharmaceutical firm reported a 30% improve in gross sales, at fixed change charges, for the primary half of this yr to 107.7 million Danish kroner ($15.9 million). Internet revenue elevated 43%, coming in at 39.2 million kroner.
The corporate’s diabetes and weight problems division carried out significantly effectively, bolstered by curiosity in its blockbuster injection Wegovy.
“The [sales] development is pushed by rising demand for our GLP-1-based diabetes and weight problems remedies, and we’re serving extra sufferers than ever earlier than,” Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, president and CEO, mentioned in a press release. “The efficiency within the first six months has enabled us to boost the outlook for the total yr.”
For 2023, the corporate now anticipates gross sales development of 27%-33% and working revenue development of 31%-37%, at fixed change charges.
Final week, late-stage trial knowledge confirmed that Wegovy lowered the chance of main cardiovascular occasions resembling coronary heart assaults or strokes by 20%, in contrast with a placebo, sending shares greater.
The outcomes of the carefully watched “SELECT” trial, which exceeded expectations, have been seen as a serious enhance for the corporate’s hopes of shifting past Wegovy’s picture as a “vainness drug.”
The energetic ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, an FDA-approved drug that works by imitating a naturally-occurring intestine hormone that helps to control urge for food.
Shares are up virtually 1% in pre-market buying and selling.
— Sam Meredith contributed to this report.
