Novartis' net sales rose 27% (+19% cc) to USD 14.9 billion. Currency benefited sales by 8% as the US dollar weakened against most currencies. Recently launched products grew 46% over the previous-year quarter, contributing USD 3.8 billion to total net sales for the Group.
Pharmaceuticals net sales grew 10% (+2% cc) to USD 8.3 billion, driven by 8 percentage points of volume growth, partly offset by a negative pricing impact of 1 percentage points and the negative impact of generic entries and product divestments of 5 percentage points. Recently launched products contributed USD 2.3 billion or 28% of Pharmaceuticals sales, an increase of 34% in constant currencies over the second quarter of 2010. Alcon contributed USD 2.6 billion of net sales in the second quarter. On a pro forma basis, Alcon grew 12% (+6% cc), with robust growth across geographies and products. Sandoz had an excellent quarter with net sales up 25% (+16% cc) to USD 2.5 billion, driven by 26 percentage points of volume growth, partly offset by a negative pricing impact of 13 percentage points. Vaccines & Diagnostics declined 47% (-50% cc) due to A(H1N1) pandemic flu vaccine sales of approximately USD 200 million in the second quarter of 2010; excluding this, sales declined due to timing of product shipments to key customers. The two Consumer Health businesses, OTC and Animal Health, together grew 5% in constant currencies. OTC's strong growth ahead of market was driven by US, Canada and Germany as well as double-digit net sales growth in key emerging markets. Animal Health achieved strong performance in Europe and emerging markets, which offset increasing competition in the US Companion Animal Business compared to last year.
Operating income was up 12% (+15% cc). Currency had a negative impact of 3%, as the benefit of a weaker dollar against most currencies was offset by an exceptionally strong Swiss franc. Exceptional items in operating income in the second quarter of 2011 include a divestment gain of USD 324 million on the sale of Elidel®, offset by impairment charges in Vaccines & Diagnostics (USD 62 million) and Pharmaceuticals (USD 107 million), provisions for legal cases in Sandoz (USD 150 million), restructuring and impairment charges relating to the streamlining of our manufacturing network (USD 44 million) and Alcon integration costs (USD 80 million).
Core operating income, which excludes exceptional items and amortization of intangible assets, increased 29% (+30% cc). We generated excellent operating leverage in the quarter with core operating income margin increasing by 2.6 percentage points in constant currencies. Currency reduced the core operating margin by 2.2 percentage points, resulting in a net increase of 0.4 percentage points to 28.4 %. Pharmaceuticals grew core operating income by 6% in constant currencies on good cost management; Alcon contributed USD 947 million to core operating income, growing 12% (+8% cc) on a pro forma basis; Sandoz was up by 49% in constant currencies; and Consumer Health was up by 9% in constant currencies. Vaccines & Diagnostics reported a loss from the absence of A(H1N1) pandemic flu vaccine revenues and continued investment in the meningococcal disease and early vaccines portfolio.
Net income increased 12% (+17% cc) on strong operating income growth, benefiting from an improved tax rate of 16.0% (17.6% in the previous-year period), partially offset by lower income from associated companies. Core net income grew 29% (+31% cc). EPS advanced 7% (+12% cc) and core EPS was up by 23% (+25% cc) at a lower rate than net income as a result of the Alcon related share increase.
Free cash flow of USD 3.3 billion was 39% higher than in the previous year, primarily due to higher operating income, cash inflow for the Elidel® divestment (USD 420 million) and improved working capital.
Four major approvals
In Europe, Rasilamlo, our single-pill combination therapy for patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure, was granted approval. We also received EU approval for a new indication of Lucentis to treat visual impairment due to macular edema in patients suffering from retinal vein occlusion (RVO), a sudden-onset disease associated with debilitating vision loss.
In the US, the FDA granted approval for Arcapta Neohaler (indacaterol), a novel once-daily bronchodilator for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The FDA also approved Afinitor (everolimus) as the first new treatment in nearly three decades for patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors of pancreatic origin, a highly aggressive cancer for which treatment options have been limited.
Additionally, indacaterol was approved in Japan under the brand name Onbrez Inhalation Capsules. Everolimus was approved in Switzerland under the name Votubia as a treatment for subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA), a benign brain tumor associated with tuberous sclerosis, and received a positive opinion from the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for approval in Europe.
Commenting on the results, Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis, said: "Excellent execution behind a sound strategy resulted in another successful quarter for Novartis. We achieved strong sales growth of 19% in constant currencies and margin improvement of 0.4 percentage points in US dollars. We further demonstrated the success of our R&D strategy with four major approvals and two filings in the second quarter. Our diversified healthcare portfolio, focused on high growth segments, is enabling us to generate superior results."
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 121,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world.