Novo Nordisk’s highly advanced plant in Hillerød, Denmark. Credit: Novo Nordisk A/S.

The operating profit of Novo Nordisk decreased by 8% in local currency from kr16.3bn ($2.63bn) in last year’s quarter to kr14.9bn ($2.4bn) this quarter but increased by 3% at constant exchange rates (CER).

Diluted earnings per share for Q1 2021 stood at kr5.45 ($0.87), a slight increase from kr5.05 ($0.81) last year.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

At CER, Novo Nordisk sales grew 7% to kr33.8bn ($5.45bn) for the three months, ending 31 March 2021. This growth was 9% and 6% in International Operations and North America Operations sales, respectively.

The company noted a negative impact on sales growth by Covid-19-related stocking last year, which saw partial offset with inventory changes and shipment timings this year.

Diabetes and Obesity care sales rose 1% to kr28.8bn ($4.64bn), driven by a 13% rise in sales of GLP-1 products, which indicate Ozempic and Rybelsus uptake.

In its research and development (R&D) segment, the company launched the Phase IIIa development of 50mg oral semaglutide to treat obesity.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Novo Nordisk dealt with refusal to file a letter with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expand the label of once-weekly 2mg semaglutide for type 2 diabetes. It intends to resubmit in the second quarter of this year.

Novo Nordisk president and CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen said: “Sales growth was driven by all therapy areas and across geographical areas within International Operations as well as North America Operations where growth has accelerated in the US.

“We were also pleased to announce plans to develop oral semaglutide as a convenient and effective treatment option for people with obesity, complementing our injectable obesity medications.”

Based on these results, the company increased the 2021 financial outlook to 6% to 10% at CER and operating profit growth is predicted to be 5% to 9% at CER.