Denmark-based diabetes giant Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) has reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2022. The company enjoyed a robust year with sales increasing 16% year-on-year (YOY) in constant currency terms to DKK 177.0 billion (USD 26.21 billion). The growth was primarily driven by strong sales of GLP-1 diabetes and obesity therapies, particularly in North America, where sales rose 21%, while international operations saw a 13% increase.
Segment Performance
Sales in diabetes and obesity care surged 19% to DKK 156.4 billion (USD 23.2 billion), while rare disease sales grew by 1%. Obesity-specific sales expanded by 84%, reflecting the growing demand for weight management solutions. Novo Nordisk forecasts continued growth of 13%-19% for 2023.
Insulin Market Dynamics
Globally, insulin product sales declined by 11% YOY, with a 7% drop in international markets and a 21% decline in North America. This trend reflects the increasing adoption of GLP-1 therapies and the impact of China’s volume-based procurement (VBP) tender for insulin products.
Ozempic and Rybelsus: Key Growth Drivers
Ozempic (semaglutide, injection), the once-weekly GLP-1 injection, emerged as Novo Nordisk’s strongest growth driver, followed by its oral formulation, Rybelsus (semaglutide). These products continue to gain market share globally as demand shifts toward more advanced diabetes therapies.
China Market Performance
In China, the full impact of the VBP tender for insulin products was felt, resulting in a 9% YOY drop in the diabetes market to DKK 15.2 billion (USD 2.25 billion). Insulin sales alone fell 22% YOY to DKK 10.302 billion (USD 1.53 billion). Novo Nordisk’s overall market share in China’s diabetes segment declined from 33.2% to 32.2%.
However, GLP-1 sales in China grew by 88% YOY to DKK 3.737 billion (USD 553 million), driven by the inclusion of Ozempic on China’s National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) from January 2022. Obesity and rare disease sales also showed significant growth, reaching DKK 133 million (USD 19.69 million) and DKK 856 million (USD 126.7 million), respectively, up 105% and 101% YOY.
Overall, mainland China market sales totaled DKK 16.2 billion (USD 2.399 billion), down 6% YOY. Q4 sales in China fell 9% YOY to DKK 3.364 billion (USD 498 million).-Fineline Info & Tech
