The Danish company has recently faced pressure from competition from the American pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. However, its third-quarter results were significantly stronger than preliminary forecasts had indicated.
The company's adjusted sales amounted to 79.2 billion Danish kroner, compared with expectations of around 73.6 billion. At the same time, its full-year sales forecast was raised from the previous range of minus 6 to 0 percent to minus 2 to 2 percent.
The sales boost was driven in part by a sharp rise in Wegovy sales. The drug is used for weight loss and weight management. Sales of the tablet version amounted to almost 5.4 billion Danish kroner, compared with expectations of 4.6 billion. Sales of Ozempic, which contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide, were also better than expected.
Novo's share price has fallen 17 percent this year, while competitor Eli Lilly's has risen 31 percent.
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