Swiss drug major Roche reported Wednesday that Group sales increased by 6% on a currency-adjusted basis to 44.98 billion Swiss francs ($51.8 billion) from last year’s 44.05 billion francs.
The company noted that strong demand for novel medicines like eye drug Vabysmo and multiple sclerosis treatment Ocrevus, as well as diagnostic products, more than offset the anticipated decline in Covid-19-related sales and margin erosion due to generics.
The Pharmaceuticals Division’s sales increased 7% from last year to 34.26 billion francs. The base business sales, excluding Covid-19 products, grew 9%.
In the United States as well as in Europe, sales grew 7% in the period.
Further, for fiscal 2024, the company continues to expect an increase in currency-adjusted group sales in the mid single digit range. Core earnings per share are still targeted to grow in the high single digit range, excluding the impact from the resolution of tax disputes in 2023.
Roche added that it expects to further increase its dividend in Swiss francs.
