(Copenhagen) The Danish laboratory Novo Nordisk, the largest European capitalization, announced on Friday that it was raising its forecasts for 2023, driven by sales of its anti-diabetic and anti-obesity treatments, Ozempic and Wegovy.
Its turnover, which had reached 176.95 billion crowns (34.16 billion Canadian dollars) in 2022, is expected to climb by 32 to 38% in 2023, compared to a previously announced growth forecast of 27 to 33%.
“The 2023 sales outlook is updated, primarily reflecting higher expectations for volumes of Ozempic […] in the United States and adjustments to sales […] of Ozempic and Wegovy in the United States,” a writes the flagship of Danish industry in a press release.
Its annual operating profit is also expected to grow more strongly than expected, in a range of 40 to 46%, compared to 31 to 37% previously estimated, according to the press release.
Novo Nordisk is taking full advantage of the success of its injectable antidiabetic drug Ozempic, which has also earned it strong popularity on the networks for its weight-loss properties, even though they are not indicated for medical purposes.
It also benefits from the popularity of Wegovy, a treatment for obesity launched in the United States two years ago and marketed only in Denmark, Norway, the United Kingdom and Germany.
In the third quarter, the group’s sales jumped 38%, said the laboratory, whose production is under pressure.
On the Copenhagen Stock Exchange, the stock gained almost 2% at 3:35 p.m. (9:35 a.m. Eastern time), in a market that was down very slightly (-0.63%).
Novo Nordisk is due to present its full results for the July-September period on November 2.
