A range 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, as it reported hovering sales.
The Danish pharmaceutical firm reported a 30% enhance in sales, at fixed change charges, for the primary half of this 12 months to 107.7 million Danish kroner ($15.9 million). Net revenue elevated 43%, coming in at 39.2 million kroner.
The firm’s diabetes and weight problems division carried out significantly nicely, bolstered by curiosity in its blockbuster injection Wegovy.
“The [sales] progress is pushed by rising demand for our GLP-1-based diabetes and weight problems therapies, and we’re serving extra sufferers than ever earlier than,” Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, president and CEO, stated in an announcement. “The efficiency within the first six months has enabled us to boost the outlook for the complete 12 months.”
For 2023, the corporate now anticipates sales progress of 27%-33% and working revenue progress of 31%-37%, at fixed change charges.
Last week, late-stage trial data confirmed that Wegovy lowered the danger of main cardiovascular occasions such as coronary heart assaults or strokes by 20%, in contrast with a placebo, sending shares larger.
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 “vanity drug.”
The energetic ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, an FDA-approved drug that works by imitating a naturally-occurring intestine hormone that helps to manage urge for food.
Shares are up nearly 1% in pre-market buying and selling.
— Sam Meredith contributed to this report.