Novartis International AG: Novartis delivered sales growth and margin expansion. Continued to progress its next wave of medicines in 2020.
Pharmaceuticals BU grew 5% (cc) driven by
Entresto (+44% cc),
Cosentyx (+13% cc),
Xiidra acquisition (+95% cc)
Promacta/Revolade (+23% cc),
Piqray (reaching USD 0.3 billion)
Sandoz sales were in line (cc, -1% USD), with Biopharmaceuticals growing 19% (cc)
COVID-19 negatively impacted demand, particularly: ophthalmology, dermatology and Sandoz retail
Core operating income² grew 13% (cc, +9% USD) and Innovative Medicines and Sandoz core margin improved to 35% and 24% of sales respectively, driven by sales growth, lower spend and productivity
Continued transformation of Manufacturing and Business Services contributing to core margin expansion