Novartis Lags Q3 Earnings, Announces $12B Avidity Biosciences Acquisition

Core Insights - Novartis AG reported core earnings per share of $2.25 in Q3, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny but up from $2.06 a year ago, driven by sales growth [1][7] - Revenues reached $13.9 billion, an 8% increase year-over-year, slightly beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate [1][2] Sales Performance - On a constant currency basis, sales increased by 7%, supported by strong performances from Kisqali, Kesimpta, Scemblix, and Pluvicto, which offset the negative impact of generic competition for Promacta, Tasigna, and Entresto [2][4] - Core operating income rose 7% to $5.5 billion [2] Key Drug Performance - Kisqali sales surged 68% to $1.33 billion, driven by growth in the United States [8] - Kesimpta sales increased 44% to $1.2 billion, exceeding estimates [9] - Pluvicto sales grew 45% to $564 million, benefiting from expanded indications [11] - Entresto sales decreased 1% to $1.9 billion due to generic competition, missing estimates [5][6] - Cosentyx sales were down 1% to $1.7 billion, impacted by a one-time revenue adjustment [6] Strategic Developments - Novartis announced the acquisition of Avidity Biosciences for $12 billion to enhance its neuroscience pipeline, focusing on genetic neuromuscular diseases [18][19] - The company expects net sales to grow in high single digits and core operating income to grow in the low teens by 2025 [17] Other Updates - Novartis received FDA approval for remibrutinib as a treatment for chronic spontaneous urticaria [21] - The company is advancing its pipeline with new drug approvals and collaborations, including a licensing agreement with Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals for a preclinical-stage therapy targeting Parkinson's disease [27]