31 January 2025 | Friday | Company results
CEO Vas Narasimhan
Fourth quarter
Dividend, 2025 guidance
commenting on Q4 2024 results, Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, said:
“In our first full year as a pure-play innovative medicines company, Novartis delivered one of the strongest financial performances in our history, growing sales 12% cc and core operating income 22% cc. We also achieved important innovation milestones, including new approvals and readouts for many of the assets that will fuel our growth over the mid- to long-term. With the momentum we are seeing in the business, we expect to continue our strong sales growth with margin expansion in 2025 and we remain on track to deliver on our mid-term guidance. Looking ahead, we are focused on executing against our pipeline, including 15 submission-enabling readouts over the coming years and more than 30 assets with the potential to drive differentiated growth over the long term. We remain balanced in our capital allocation approach and committed to creating sustainable value for shareholders.”
| Key figures | Continuing operations3 | ||||||||
| Q4 2024 | Q4 2023 | % change | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | % change | ||||
| USD m | USD m | USD | cc | USD m | USD m | USD | cc | ||
| Net sales | 13 153 | 11 423 | 15 | 16 | 50 317 | 45 440 | 11 | 12 | |
| Operating income | 3 530 | 2 582 | 37 | 39 | 14 544 | 9 769 | 49 | 55 | |
| Net income | 2 820 | 2 638 | 7 | 6 | 11 939 | 8 572 | 39 | 45 | |
| EPS (USD) | 1.42 | 1.29 | 10 | 10 | 5.92 | 4.13 | 43 | 49 | |
| Free cash flow | 3 635 | 2 141 | 70 | 16 253 | 13 160 | 24 | |||
| Core operating income | 4 859 | 3 821 | 27 | 29 | 19 494 | 16 372 | 19 | 22 | |
| Core net income | 3 933 | 3 126 | 26 | 29 | 15 755 | 13 446 | 17 | 21 | |
| Core EPS (USD) | 1.98 | 1.53 | 29 | 33 | 7.81 | 6.47 | 21 | 24 | |
1. Constant currencies (cc), core results and free cash flow are non-IFRS measures. An explanation of non-IFRS measures can be found on page 47 of the Condensed Financial Report. Unless otherwise noted, all growth rates in this Release refer to same period in prior year. 2. Please see detailed guidance assumptions on page 7.
3. As defined on page 35 of the Condensed Financial Report, Continuing operations include the retained business activities of Novartis, comprising the innovative medicines business and the continuing corporate activities, and Discontinued operations include operational results from the Sandoz business.
In 2023, Novartis completed its transformation into a “pure-play” innovative medicines business. We have a clear focus on four core therapeutic areas (cardiovascular-renal-metabolic, immunology, neuroscience and oncology), with multiple significant in-market and pipeline assets in each of these areas, that address high disease burden and have substantial growth potential. In addition to two established technology platforms (chemistry and biotherapeutics), three emerging platforms (gene & cell therapy, radioligand therapy and xRNA) are being prioritized for continued investment into new R&D capabilities and manufacturing scale. Geographically, we are focused on growing in our priority geographies – the US, China, Germany and Japan.
Following the September 15, 2023, shareholder approval of the spin-off of Sandoz, Novartis reported its consolidated financial statements as “continuing operations” and “discontinued operations.”
Continuing operations include the retained business activities of Novartis, comprising the innovative medicines business and the continuing corporate activities. Discontinued operations include the Sandoz Division and selected portions of corporate activities attributable to Sandoz’s business, as well as certain expenses related to the spin-off.
While the commentary below focuses on continuing operations, we also provide information on discontinued operations.
Net sales were USD 13.2 billion (+15%, +16% cc), with volume contributing 15 percentage points to growth. Generic competition had a negative impact of 1 percentage point and pricing had a positive impact of 2 percentage points, benefiting from revenue deduction adjustments mainly in the US.
Operating income was USD 3.5 billion (+37%, +39% cc), mainly driven by higher net sales, partly offset by higher R&D investments.
Net income was USD 2.8 billion (+7%, +6% cc), mainly driven by higher operating income, partly offset by higher income taxes, mainly resulting from higher income before taxes in the current year and non-recurring tax benefits in the prior year. EPS was USD 1.42 (+10%, +10% cc), benefiting from the lower weighted average number of shares outstanding.
Core operating income was USD 4.9 billion (+27%, +29% cc), mainly driven by higher net sales, partly offset by higher R&D investments. Core operating income margin was 36.9% of net sales, increasing 3.4 percentage points (+3.7 percentage points cc).
Core net income was USD 3.9 billion (+26%, +29% cc), mainly due to higher core operating income. Core EPS was USD 1.98 (+29%, +33% cc), benefiting from the lower weighted average number of shares outstanding.
Free cash flow from continuing operations amounted to USD 3.6 billion (+70% USD), compared with USD 2.1 billion in the prior-year quarter, driven by higher net cash flows from operating activities from continuing operations.
Net sales were USD 50.3 billion (+11%, +12% cc), with volume contributing 14 percentage points to growth. Generic competition had a negative impact of 2 percentage points and pricing was flat.
Operating income was USD 14.5 billion (+49%, +55% cc), mainly driven by higher net sales, lower impairments, amortization and restructuring charges, partly offset by prior-year one-time income from legal matters and higher R&D investments.
Net income was USD 11.9 billion (+39%, +45% cc), mainly driven by higher operating income, partly offset by higher income taxes, mainly resulting from higher income before taxes in the current year and non-recurring tax benefits in the prior year. EPS was USD 5.92 (+43%, +49% cc), benefiting from the lower weighted average number of shares outstanding.
Core operating income was USD 19.5 billion (+19%, +22% cc), mainly driven by higher net sales, partly offset by higher R&D investments. Core operating income margin was 38.7% of net sales, increasing 2.7 percentage points (+3.3 percentage points cc).
Core net income was USD 15.8 billion (+17%, +21% cc), mainly due to higher core operating income. Core EPS was USD 7.81 (+21%, +24% cc), benefiting from the lower weighted average number of shares outstanding.
Free cash flow from continuing operations amounted to USD 16.3 billion (+24% USD), compared with USD 13.2 billion in 2023, driven by higher net cash flows from operating activities from continuing operations.
Discontinued operations include the Sandoz generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars division, certain corporate activities attributable to Sandoz and certain other expenses related to the spin-off of the Sandoz business.
As the Sandoz spin-off was completed on October 3, 2023, there were no operating results in the fourth quarter of 2024 and 2023 related to discontinued operations. In the fourth quarter of 2023, net income from discontinued operations amounted to USD 5.8 billion, driven by the IFRS Accounting Standards non-cash, non-taxable, net gain on distribution of Sandoz Group AG to Novartis AG shareholders of USD 5.9 billion. For further details see Note 3 “Significant acquisitions of businesses and spin-off of Sandoz business” and Note 11 “Discontinued operations” to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
As the Sandoz spin-off was completed on October 3, 2023, there were no operating results in 2024 related to discontinued operations. In 2023, discontinued operations net sales were USD 7.4 billion, operating income amounted to USD 265 million and net income from discontinued operations was USD 6.3 billion driven by the IFRS Accounting Standards non-cash, non-taxable, net gain on distribution of Sandoz Group AG to Novartis AG shareholders, which amounted to USD 5.9 billion. For further details see Note 3 “Significant acquisitions of businesses and spin-off of Sandoz business” and Note 11 “Discontinued operations” to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Total Company net income was USD 2.8 billion in 2024, compared with USD 8.5 billion in 2023 and basic EPS was USD 1.42 compared to USD 4.14 in the prior year quarter as the prior year quarter included the IFRS Accounting Standards non-cash, non-taxable, net gain on distribution of Sandoz Group AG to Novartis AG shareholders, which amounted to USD 5.9 billion. Net cash flows from operating activities for total Company amounted to USD 4.2 billion and free cash flow amounted to USD 3.6 billion.
Total Company net income was USD 11.9 billion in 2024, compared with USD 14.9 billion in 2023 and basic EPS was USD 5.92 compared to USD 7.15 in the prior year as the prior year included the IFRS Accounting Standards non-cash, non-taxable, net gain on distribution of Sandoz Group AG to Novartis AG shareholders, which amounted to USD 5.9 billion. Net cash flows from operating activities for total Company amounted to USD 17.6 billion and free cash flow amounted to USD 16.3 billion.
Underpinning our financial results in the quarter is a continued focus on key growth drivers (ranked in order of contribution to Q4 growth) including:
| Entresto | (USD 2 180 million, +34% cc) sustained robust, demand-led growth, with increased penetration in the US and Europe following guideline-directed medical therapy in heart failure, and in China and Japan with increased penetration in hypertension |
| Kesimpta | (USD 950 million, +49% cc) sales grew across all regions reflecting increased demand for a high efficacy product with convenient self-administered dosing |
| Kisqali | (USD 902 million, +52% cc) sales grew strongly across all regions, including +66% (cc) growth in the US with strong momentum from the recently launched early breast cancer (eBC) indication. Kisqali growth is underpinned by increasing recognition of its overall survival benefit in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (mBC) as well as Category 1 NCCN Guidelines recommendation in both mBC and eBC |
| Cosentyx | (USD 1 596 million, +24% cc) sales grew mainly in the US, Europe and emerging growth markets driven by recent launches (including the HS indication and the IV formulation in the US) and volume growth in core indications |
| Leqvio | (USD 223 million, +83% cc) continued to show steady growth, with a focus on increasing account and patient adoption, and continuing medical education |
| Scemblix | (USD 207 million, +66% cc) sales grew across all regions demonstrating the continued high unmet need in CML |
| Pluvicto | (USD 351 million, +28% cc) sales grew in Europe and in the US. With supply now unconstrained, the focus is on increasing share in established RLT sites while opening new sites and referral pathways and initiating new patients |
| Fabhalta | (USD 57 million) launch continues with a modest ramp in PNH globally and in IgA nephropathy in the US |
| Jakavi | (USD 487 million, +13% cc) sales grew across all regions driven by strong demand across indications |
| Tafinlar + Mekinist | (USD 527 million, +10% cc) sales grew mainly in the US, Japan and emerging growth markets driven by increased demand |
| Lutathera | (USD 190 million, +30% cc) sales grew across all regions due to increased demand and earlier line adoption (within indication) in the US and Japan |
| Ilaris | (USD 413 million, +11% cc) sales grew across all regions, led by the US |
| Xolair | (USD 399 million, +9% cc) grew mainly in emerging growth markets |
| Emerging growth markets* | Grew +9% (cc) overall. China grew +7% (cc) to USD 0.8 billion, mainly driven by Entresto, Xolair and Kisqali |
*All markets except the US, Canada, Western Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand
| Q4 2024 | % change | FY 2024 | % change | |||
| USD m | USD | cc | USD m | USD | cc | |
| Entresto | 2 180 | 33 | 34 | 7 822 | 30 | 31 |
| Cosentyx | 1 596 | 22 | 24 | 6 141 | 23 | 25 |
| Kesimpta | 950 | 48 | 49 | 3 224 | 49 | 49 |
| Kisqali | 902 | 48 | 52 | 3 033 | 46 | 49 |
| Promacta/Revolade | 583 | 4 | 5 | 2 216 | -2 | -1 |
| Tafinlar + Mekinist | 527 | 8 | 10 | 2 058 | 7 | 9 |
| Jakavi | 487 | 10 | 13 | 1 936 | 13 | 15 |
| Tasigna | 411 | -8 | -6 | 1 671 | -10 | -8 |
| Xolair | 399 | 6 | 9 | 1 643 | 12 | 15 |
| Ilaris | 413 | 10 | 11 | 1 509 | 11 | 14 |
| Pluvicto | 351 | 29 | 28 | 1 392 | 42 | 42 |
| Sandostatin Group | 306 | -3 | -1 | 1 279 | -3 | -1 |
| Zolgensma | 262 | -8 | -6 | 1 214 | 0 | 2 |
| Lucentis | 210 | -30 | -29 | 1 044 | -29 | -28 |
| Leqvio | 223 | 81 | 83 | 754 | 112 | 114 |
| Lutathera | 190 | 29 | 30 | 724 | 20 | 20 |
| Exforge Group | 159 | 2 | 8 | 703 | -1 | 2 |
| Scemblix | 207 | 66 | 66 | 689 | 67 | 68 |
| Galvus Group | 144 | -6 | 2 | 602 | -13 | -6 |
| Diovan Group | 140 | -5 | -2 | 590 | -4 | 0 |
| Top 20 brands total | 10 640 | 19 | 21 | 40 244 | 18 | 19 |
| Scemblix (asciminib) |
FDA granted accelerated approval to Scemblix for adult patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (Ph+ CML-CP). The FDA also broadened the indication for Scemblix to include adult patients with previously treated Ph+ CML-CP. |
| Kisqali (ribociclib) |
EC approved Kisqali as an adjuvant treatment in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for patients with HR+/HER2- early breast cancer (eBC) at high risk of recurrence regardless of nodal status, nearly doubling the eligible population. |
| Fabhalta (iptacopan) |
Submission for the treatment of C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) was completed in the US, and the FDA granted Priority Review status to Fabhalta in this indication. The FDA also confirmed no need for an Advisory Committee meeting. |
| OAV101 IT (onasemnogene abeparvovec) |
Novartis announced positive topline results from the Phase III STEER study. This pivotal trial assessed the efficacy and safety of investigational intrathecal OAV101 in treatment-naïve patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) Type 2, aged two to less than 18 years who are able to sit but have never walked independently. The study met its primary endpoint showing an increase from baseline across the study population in total Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale - Expanded (HFMSE) scores. HFMSE is a gold standard for SMA-specific assessment of motor ability and disease progression. |
| Pluvicto (lutetium Lu177 vipivotide tetraxetan) |
Final overall survival (OS) analysis in the Phase III PSMAfore study in pre-taxane mCRPC demonstrated an OS hazard ratio less than 1.0 (HR<1.0) in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population unadjusted for cross-over. These results have been shared with the FDA as part of their ongoing review of Pluvicto in this indication. |
| Kisqali (ribociclib) |
Results from an updated analysis of the pivotal Phase III NATALEE trial of Kisqaliplus endocrine therapy (ET) in patients with HR+/HER2- stage II and III eBC showed a sustained reduction in distant recurrence of 28.5% compared to ET alone, underscoring Kisqali’s extended efficacy beyond its 3-year treatment duration. No new safety signals were identified. Data presented at SABCS. In addition, Kisqali was recognized by NCCN Guidelines® as a Category 1 preferred therapy in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for patients with HR+/HER2- eBC. Kisqali is the only Category 1 preferred CDK4/6 inhibitor recommended for both all node-positive disease as well as node-negative disease with high-risk disease characteristics. Kisqali also achieved the highest score (A) on the European Society for Medical Oncology-Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale (ESMO-MCBS) for eBC, while maintaining a rating of 5 and 4 in the mBC setting. In January 2025, Novartis settled compound patent litigation with a generic manufacturer, supporting Kisqali US patent protection until at least Q1 2031. |
| Scemblix (asciminib) |
96-week results from the Phase III ASC4FIRST trial with Scemblix showed sustained superior major molecular response vs. all investigator-selected standard-of-care TKIs (imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib and bosutinib) and vs. imatinib alone in adult patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP. Fewer treatment-related grade ≥3 AEs and half the rate of AEs leading to treatment discontinuation were reported for Scemblix vs. both imatinib and second-generation TKIs. Data presented at ASH. |
| Fabhalta (iptacopan) |
In the Phase III APPEAR-C3G study, patients with C3G treated with oral Fabhalta in addition to supportive care experienced clinically meaningful proteinuria reduction sustained at 12 months. In addition, in the open-label period of the study, proteinuria reduction was seen in participants switched to Fabhalta, and improvement in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope was observed upon Fabhaltainitiation compared to patients’ historic rapid decline. Fabhalta continued to show a favorable safety profile. Data presented at ASN. |
| Selected transactions | Novartis entered into a global license and collaboration agreement with PTC Therapeutics for PTC518, a HTT mRNA splice modulator with the potential to become the first oral disease-modifying therapy for Huntington's disease. Under the agreement, Novartis will assume responsibility for PTC518’s development, manufacturing and commercialization following the completion of the placebo-controlled portion of the ongoing Phase II PIVOT-HD study, expected in H1 2025. Novartis acquired Kate Therapeutics, a preclinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies to treat genetically defined neuromuscular diseases. The acquisition will strengthen Novartis’ efforts to advance gene therapies and neuroscience innovation and includes enabling technology platforms and several preclinical therapeutic candidates. Novartis entered into a worldwide licensing and collaboration agreement with Ratio Therapeutics for a next-generation SSTR2-targeting radiotherapeutic candidate. The collaboration focuses on preclinical research and selection of an SSTR2-targeting development candidate, after which Novartis will lead development, manufacturing and commercialization. |
Retaining a good balance between investment in the business, a strong capital structure, and attractive shareholder returns remains a priority.
In 2024, Novartis repurchased a total of 77.5 million shares for USD 8.3 billion on the SIX Swiss Exchange second trading line. These purchases included 68.8 million shares (USD 7.3 billion) under the up-to USD 15 billion share buyback announced in July 2023 (with up to USD 5.4 billion still to be executed). In addition, 8.7 million shares (USD 1.0 billion) were repurchased to mitigate the impact of share deliveries under the equity-based compensation plans for employees. Furthermore, 1.2 million shares (equity value of USD 0.1 billion) were repurchased from employees. In the same period, 9.8 million shares (equity value of USD 1.1 billion) were delivered to employees related to equity-based compensation plans. Consequently, the total number of shares outstanding decreased by 68.9 million versus December 31, 2023. These treasury share transactions resulted in an equity decrease of USD 7.4 billion and a net cash outflow of USD 8.3 billion.
Net debt increased to USD 16.1 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to USD 10.2 billion net debt at December 31, 2023. The increase was mainly due to the free cash flow of USD 16.3 billion being more than offset by the cash outflows for treasury share transactions of USD 8.3 billion, the annual dividend payment of USD 7.6 billion, and net cash outflow for M&A / intangible assets transactions of USD 6.3 billion.
As of Q4 2024, the long-term credit rating for the company is Aa3 with Moody’s Ratings and AA- with S&P Global Ratings.
| Barring unforeseen events; growth vs prior year in cc | |
| Net sales | Expected to grow mid- to high-single digit |
| Core operating income | Expected to grow high single to low double-digit |
Key assumptions:
If late-January exchange rates prevail for the remainder of 2025, the foreign exchange impact for the year would be negative 2 percentage points on net sales and negative 3 percentage points on core operating income. The estimated impact of exchange rates on our results is provided monthly on our website.
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