Group sales grew 9% in local currencies (6% in Swiss francs; 15% in US dollars) to 12.2 billion Swiss francs. The Pharmaceuticals Division's sales increased 10% in local currencies (6% in Swiss francs; 15% in US dollars) to 9.7 billion Swiss francs, maintaining its above-market growth.

Reported operating profit increased by 15% to DKK 4,382 million. Adjusted for the impact from currencies, operating profit in local currencies increased by around 20%.

Novartis delivered a strong performance in the first quarter of 2010 - particularly the rapid expansion of recently launched products and important regulatory approvals achieved for new medicines and vaccines - as the Group made progress with a sharp focus on innovation, growth and productivity.

The World Bank and Pfizer Inc. announced they will collaborate to improve the healthcare infrastructure, specifically the supply chain, in developing countries, starting with Africa.

The Lancet published online the results of the first study comparing the once-daily human GLP-1 analogue, Victoza® (liraglutide) with a DPP-4 inhibitor, Januvia®. The 26-week trial showed that Victoza® produced significantly greater reductions in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and body weight than Januvia®, with similar or better overall treatment satisfaction.[1]

Pfizer Inc. announced the discontinuation of the SUN 1170 Phase 3 open-label study of Sutent(r) (sunitinib malate) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or liver cancer.

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.30 for the first quarter of 2010, an increase of 20 percent compared to $1.08 for the first quarter of 2009.