Novartis reported net sales of $12.5 billion in the second quarter, up by 9% from a year earlier on a reported basis, and by 11% at constant exchange rates. Driving growth were double digit increases for five products, and a 133% increase for Leqvio, a drug approved for treating cholesterol. On the strength of the sales increase, the company’s operating income rose by 43% to $4 billion on an IFRS basis. The non-IFRS operating result, excluding amortisation and impairment charges, was $5 billion, up by 17%. Sales’ volumes contributed 15 percentage points to the top line.
