Novo Nordisk reports strong performance in first half of 2012

Novo Nordisk has published strong operating results for the first half of 2012, with sales increasing by 17 percent year on year during the period.

The company's revenue total for the six months came to 37.2 billion Danish kroner (3.94 billion pounds), while its operating profit levels rose by 31 percent compared to the first half of 2011.

Sales improvements were observed in both the US and international territories, while the company's key diabetes drug Victoza experienced an 82 percent increase in sales.

Meanwhile, the company was also able to advance its drug development pipeline, with positive clinical trial data collected for IDegLira, a new fixed-ratio combination of insulin degludec and liraglutide.

Lars Rebien Sorensen, president and chief executive officer of Novo Nordisk, said: "We are very satisfied with the financial performance in the first half of 2012, driven by a continued strong performance of our modern insulins and Victoza."

Last month, the company was presented with the red dot Best of the Best prize for 2012 for its innovative insulin injection pen device NovoPen 5.