Net sales rose 13% (+16% cc) to USD 12.6 billion with strong contributions from all businesses. Currency movements depressed the result by 3 percentage points. Rapid growth of recently launched products across the Group generated USD 2.3 billion in sales, representing 20%* of total sales. Acquisitions contributed 6 percentage points to growth, mainly driven by Alcon, Inc. (Alcon) sales of USD 617 million. Volumes grew by 11 percentage points offset by a negative price effect of 1 percentage point.
Pharmaceuticals (USD 7.6 billion, +6% cc) maintained solid volume growth of 7%. Recently launched products contributed USD 1.7 billion in sales, or 22% of overall sales, representing a 30% (+34% cc) growth over the previous year. Vaccines and Diagnostics net sales were USD 0.6 billion (+21% cc) on a strong start to the flu season. Sandoz (USD 2.2 billion, +23% cc) accelerated its growth from new product launches, particularly enoxaparin, and continued strong results from the US, Canada, Russia, Italy and biosimilars. All Consumer Health businesses (USD 1.6 billion, +9% cc) had good performances and grew ahead of their markets.
Operating income decreased 2% (+3% cc) to USD 2.6 billion. Included in operating income are intangible asset impairment charges of USD 593 million in R&D expense, principally due to the termination of two development projects, and Alcon related charges of USD 217 million. Currency movements, particularly the strengthening Swiss franc, which increases costs, reduced operating income by 5 percentage points.
Core operating income, which excludes exceptional items and amortization of intangible assets, rose 25% (+29% cc) to USD 3.7 billion with Alcon contributing 7 percentage points. Performance was strong across all divisions: Pharmaceuticals grew core operating income by 9%; Vaccines and Diagnostics by 24%; Sandoz by 28%; and Consumer Health by 27%. Core operating income margin improved by 2.7 percentage points to 29.4% of net sales.
Net income increased by 10% (+14% cc) to USD 2.3 billion, primarily benefitting from a gain on the revaluation of the initial 25% stake in Alcon of USD 204 million and the impact of exceptional charges made against associated companies in 2009. Earnings per share (EPS) increased by 6% (+12% cc) to USD 0.99 from USD 0.93 in the 2009 period. EPS grew at a lower rate than net income as net income includes 100% of Alcon's results since change of majority ownership whereas EPS only recognizes the 77% share attributable to Novartis shareholders. Core net income increased by 17% (+21% cc) to USD 3.1 billion, while core EPS was up 16% (+19% cc) in the third quarter to USD 1.36 from USD 1.17 in the year-ago period.
The acquisition of an additional 52% of Alcon was completed on August 25 and Alcon has been consolidated thereafter. Sales of USD 617 million have been included in the third quarter; operating income (including one time acquisition effects; see page 18 for details) was USD 101 million and core operating income was USD 222 million. In addition, costs relating to the acquisition of Alcon totaling USD 96 million, have been charged to the Corporate segment resulting in a net contribution to operating income of USD 5 million. Excluding Alcon Group sales grew by 8% (10% cc), operating income declined 2% (+3% cc) and core operating income increased by 18% (22% cc). Core operating income margin was 29.1%, an improvement of 2.4 percentage points over 2009.
Commenting on the results, Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis, said: "I am pleased with our excellent performance in the third quarter. Our innovation momentum and strong execution once more drove strong sales and core operating income growth. Approvals such as Gilenya, a breakthrough first-line oral treatment for multiple sclerosis, and Tasigna, a new first-line treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia, have the potential to change patients' lives. Data on new medicines such as MenB, our meningococcal vaccine candidate, give me confidence that our pipeline will continue to deliver."
About Novartis
Novartis provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused solely on healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines, diagnostic tools and consumer health products. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in these areas. In 2009, the Group's continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 44.3 billion, while approximately USD 7.5 billion was invested in R&D activities throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 100.000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.
* All figures with an asterisk are excluding Alcon