Novartis highlights positive trends in Q3 2013

Novartis has published its financial results for the third quarter of 2013, during which it delivered a net sales total of $14.3 billion (8.85 billion pounds) – up by four percent year on year.

Growth products such as Gilenya, Afinitor, Tasigna, Galvus, Xolair and Jakavi played a major role in this, with sales increasing by 17 percent to $4.6 billion, thus helping to offset the impact of recent patent expiries.

The company's emerging market performance was also highly encouraging, while it was able to achieve key regulatory milestones for newer products such as Ultibro Breezhaler, Ilaris, Menveo and BYM338.

Its sales total for the first nine months of 2013 came to $42.84 billion, up by two percent on the corresponding period of last year.

Joseph Jimenez, chief executive officer of Novartis, said: "Our strategy of leading through science-based innovation is the right one for the business, for patients and for our shareholders."

This comes after the company reported positive clinical trial data for omalizumab, its promising new therapy for chronic spontaneous urticaria, earlier this month.