Novartis produced double-digit sales increases for core products in the first quarter, consolidating gains after a period of restructuring and acquisitions in 2019. Net sales for the quarter were $12.3 billion, up by 11% from a year earlier at actual exchange rates, and by 13% at constant rates. Behind the gains was strong demand for Entresto, the company’s treatment for heart failure; Kisqali, a new breast cancer drug; and Cosentyx, a treatment for plaque psoriasis.
