Eli Lilly & Co., (NYSE: LLY) has announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2023, showing a 36% year-on-year (YOY) increase in sales to USD 9.5 billion in constant currency terms. This figure includes a USD 1.42 billion one-off payment from the sale of the Zyprexa (olanzapine) portfolio to Germany’s Chelapharm, which was announced in April. Excluding this payment and COVID-19-related antibody sales from 2022, the underlying revenue growth for Q3’23 was 24% YOY.
Key Drug Performances
Lilly’s standout performers were the CDK4/6 breast cancer drug Verzenio (abemaciclib), which saw a 68% YOY increase to just over USD 1 billion, and the type 2 diabetes (T2D) and weight-loss drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide), with sales reaching USD 1.4 billion over the three months, USD 1.28 billion of which were earned in the United States. Diabetes medicine Jardiance (empagliflozin) grew by 22%, auto-immune disease drug Taltz (ixekizumab) by 9%, and while T2D drug Trulicity (dulaglutide) saw a 10% decrease in sales, it remained the leading product with over USD 1.6 billion in sales.
Pipeline Updates and Alzheimer’s Therapy
The most notable pipeline update was the adjustment to the expected US FDA regulatory decision timing for potential Alzheimer’s therapy donanemab, which has been推迟 from Q4’23 to Q1 2024.
China Market Growth
China’s strong performance contributed to a 20% YOY increase in revenue in constant currency terms to USD 391 million over the three months. For the Q1-Q3 period, China sales have risen 12% YOY to USD 1.163 billion. Volume growth in the market was 25% YOY, partially offset by price declines. Key growth drivers were Verzenio and the programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor Tyvyt (sintilimab), in partnership with Innovent Biologics, which saw a 50% YOY sales growth to USD 115.1 million. CFO Anat Ashkenazi commented, “We’re encouraged by the growth we have seen this year in China”.
Regional Growth in 2023
Lilly’s regional growth during 2023 is as follows:
| Region | Q3 Sales (USD, mil.) | Q3 Growth* | YTD Sales (USD, mil.) | YTD Growth* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | 5,368 | 21% | 15,336 | 13% |
| Europe | 2,569 | 136% | 4,837 | 49% |
| Japan | 391 | -16% | 1,234 | -1% |
| China | 391 | 20% | 1,163 | 12% |
| Rest of World | 780 | 23% | 2,202 | 10% |
| Total | 9,499 | 36% | 24,771 | 18% |
*In constant currency terms
Source: Lilly’s Q3’23 earnings presentation
