Novo Nordisk's operating profit decreased by 6% in Danish kroner and increased by 2% in local currencies in the first nine months of 2018

Adjusting for severance costs related to lay-offs in the third quarter of 2018, operating profit increased by 4% in local currencies.

Sales decreased by 2% in Danish kroner and increased by 4% in local currencies to DKK 82.1 billion.

• Sales of Victoza increased by 6% to DKK 17.8 billion (12% in local currencies).
• Sales of Ozempic were DKK 804 million and the total GLP-1 franchise increased 10% (18% in local currencies).

Sales of Saxenda increased by 42% to DKK 2.6 billion (53% in local currencies).

Sales of Tresiba increased by 8% to DKK 5.9 billion (15% in local currencies).

Sales in International Operations increased by 2% (8% in local currencies).

Sales in North America Operations decreased by 6% (increased 1% in local currencies).

Sales within diabetes care and obesity decreased by 1% to DKK 69.0 billion (increased by 5% in local currencies). Sales within biopharmaceuticals decreased by 6% to DKK 13.1 billion (1% in local currencies).

Operating profit decreased by 6% in Danish kroner and increased by 2% in local currencies to DKK 36.5 billion, impacted by the significant depreciation of the US dollar and related currencies versus the Danish krone in first half of 2018 compared with the same period in 2017. Adjusting for severance costs related to lay-offs in the third quarter of 2018, operating profit increased by 4% in local currencies.

Net profit increased by 1% to DKK 30.1 billion. Diluted earnings per share increased by 3% to DKK 12.40.

In February 2018, Novo Nordisk launched Ozempic in the USA, a new once-weekly GLP-1, and the weekly new-to-brand prescription market share for Ozempic has now reached 19% strengthening the total Novo Nordisk GLP-1 market share. Ozempic has now been launched in seven countries in Europe and in North America.

Since August 2018, Novo Nordisk has announced phase 3a results from additional three of the 10 clinical trials in the PIONEER programme for oral semaglutide, a new once-daily GLP-1 tablet for people with type 2 diabetes. The trials confirmed statistically significant reductions in both HbA_1c and weight for oral semaglutide compared to placebo in people with renal impairment, add-on treatment to insulin and dulaglutide in Japanese people.