Novo Nordisk reports double-digit growth during 2012

Novo Nordisk has expressed satisfaction with its financial performance for 2012 after experiencing strong year-on-year growth and achieving key business goals.

The company's sales for the year came to 78 billion Danish kroner (9.03 billion pounds), up by 18 percent year over year, while its operating profit level rose by 32 percent to 29.5 billion kroner.

Sales of modern insulins surged by 21 percent and its key Victoza product saw a 58 percent improvement on last year, while double-digit rises were recorded for the company's US and international operations.

Moreover, Novo Nordisk was able to secure regulatory approval for the new insulin products Tresiba and Ryzodeg in Japan and Europe, and added two members to its executive management team.

Other highlights included the launch of Team Novo Nordisk, the world's first all-diabetes professional cycling team.

Lars Rebien Sorensen, president and chief executive officer, said: "2012 has been another year with strong results for Novo Nordisk driven by the sales growth of Victoza and the two modern insulins NovoRapid and Levemir."