Novo Nordisk’s sales increased by 31% in Danish kroner and by 36% at constant exchange rates to DKK 232.3 billion in 2023
- Operating profit increased by 37% in Danish kroner and by 44% at constant exchange rates (CER) to DKK 102.6 billion.
- Sales in North America Operations increased by 50% in Danish kroner (54% at CER). Sales in International Operations increased by 11% in Danish kroner (16% at CER).
- Sales within Diabetes and Obesity care increased by 38% in Danish kroner to DKK 215.1 billion (42% at CER), mainly driven by GLP-1 diabetes sales growth of 48% in Danish kroner (52% at CER) and Obesity care growing by 147% in Danish Kroner to DKK 41.6 billion (154% at CER). Rare disease sales decreased by 16% measured in Danish kroner (15% at CER) reflecting a reduction in manufacturing output.
- In January 2024, Novo Nordisk successfully completed the first phase 3a trial with IcoSema, a fixed-ratio once-weekly combination of basal insulin icodec and semaglutide and a phase 1 trial with oral amycretin within Obesity care.
- For the 2024 outlook, sales growth is expected to be 18-26% at CER, and operating profit growth is expected to be 21-29% at CER. Sales and operating profit growth reported in Danish kroner is expected to be 1 and 2 percentage points lower than at CER, respectively.
- At the Annual General Meeting on 21 March 2024, the Board of Directors will propose a final dividend of DKK 6.40 for 2023 per share. The expected total dividend for 2023 is DKK 9.40 per share, of which DKK 3.00 was paid as interim dividend in August 2023. The Board of Directors has decided to initiate a new share repurchase programme of up to DKK 20 billion.
| PROFIT AND LOSS | 2023 | 2022 | Growth as reported | Growth at CER* |
| DKK million | ||||
| Net sales | 232,261 | 176,954 | 31% | 36% |
| Operating profit | 102,574 | 74,809 | 37% | 44% |
| Net profit | 83,683 | 55,525 | 51% | N/A |
| Diluted earnings per share (in DKK) | 18.62 | 12.22 | 52% | N/A |
| * CER: Constant exchange rates (average 2022). |
Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, president and CEO: “We are very pleased with the strong performance in 2023 reflecting that more than 40 million people are now benefiting from our innovative diabetes and obesity treatments. We continue to make progress on our strategic aspirations. Our focus in 2024 will be on reaching more patients, progressing and expanding our pipeline as well as the continued significant expansion of our production capacity.”
