Novartis' net sales rose 16% (+14% cc) to USD 14.0 billion. Currency benefited sales by 2% as the dollar weakened against most currencies. Excluding A(H1N1) pandemic flu vaccine sales and Alcon, net sales grew 10% (+8% cc). Recently launched products provided USD 3.1 billion of net sales in the first quarter, representing 26% of total net sales (excluding Alcon).
Pharmaceuticals net sales grew 7% (+5% cc) to USD 7.8 billion, driven by 9 percentage points of volume growth, partly offset by a negative pricing impact of 2 percentage points and the negative impact of generics entries and product divestments of 2 percentage points. Recently launched products contributed 25% of Pharmaceuticals sales, an increase of 33% cc over the first quarter of 2010. Sandoz showed strong growth (+15% cc) in the US, Canada, Western Europe, and Central and Eastern Europe, which more than offset the shortfall in Germany due to rapid tender implementation and increased government-mandated rebates. Vaccines & Diagnostics was down by 73% in constant currencies due to 2010 A(H1N1) pandemic flu vaccine sales (USD 1.1 billion); excluding this, sales grew 43% in constant currencies. Consumer Health grew 9% in constant currencies led by OTC with Prevacid24HR and the cough and cold and respiratory portfolio. Alcon contributed USD 1.9 billion of net sales in the first quarter with a strong performance from pharmaceuticals.
Operating income was down by 3% (0% cc). Currency had a negative impact of 3%, as the dollar weakened against the Swiss franc (-12%) and increased slightly against the euro (+1%). Excluding A(H1N1) pandemic flu vaccine and Alcon, underlying operating income was up 25% (+30% cc). Exceptional items in operating income in the first quarter of 2011 include: divestment gains of USD 102 million on the sale of ophthalmic pharmaceuticals and lens care products required for the approval of the Alcon merger and an exceptional CIBA Vision gain of USD 183 million from a legal settlement, offset by exceptional charges relating to legal settlements (Sandoz USD 28 million) and restructuring charges relating to the streamlining of our manufacturing network (USD 55 million). Alcon contributed USD 207 million to operating income in the first quarter.
Core operating income, which excludes exceptional items and amortization of intangible assets, increased 4% (+6% cc). Core operating income excluding A(H1N1) pandemic flu vaccine and Alcon was up 16% cc versus previous year. Pharmaceuticals grew core operating income by 11% cc on good cost management. Sandoz was up by 11% cc, and Consumer Health was up by 30% cc. Vaccines & Diagnostics turned in a small loss following a substantial 2010 income from A(H1N1) pandemic flu vaccine. Alcon contributed USD 722 million to core operating income.
Core operating income margin declined 3.3 percentage points to 28.6% of sales. Currency movements (-1.1 percentage points) and 2010 A(H1N1) pandemic flu vaccine sales (-5.4 percentage points), partially offset by a contribution from the inclusion of Alcon (+1.2 percentage points), obscured an improvement in the underlying core margin in constant currencies of 2.0 percentage points.
Net income was down 4% (-1% cc) due to additional financing costs related to Alcon, partially offset by an improved tax rate of 16.0% (from 16.5%). Core net income increased 2% (+4% cc). EPS was down 6% (-3% cc) more than net income and core EPS declined 3% (0% cc) due to the impact of the allocation of Alcon core net income to its non-controlling shareholders.
Free cash flow of USD 1.6 billion was 44% lower than the previous year, primarily due to cash collection for A(H1N1) pandemic flu vaccine in the first quarter of 2010 (USD 1.3 billion).
Commenting on the results, Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis, said: "Contributions from all businesses led to a good start in 2011, as we achieved 14% growth in the first quarter. We maintained our innovation momentum with new approvals for our multiple sclerosis treatment Gilenya and our eye care treatment Lucentis in the EU. Additionally, promising results of numerous clinical trials, including a Phase III study involving JAK inhibitor INC424, again showed the success of our novel approach to R&D. In April, we completed our merger with Alcon, the leading eye care business in the world, creating the second-largest business in the Novartis portfolio."
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, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, consumer health products, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in these areas. In 2010, the Group's continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 50.6 billion, while approximately USD 9.1 billion (USD 8.1 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges) was invested in R&D throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 119,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world.