Novartis Reports Sales Growth Amid Entresto Decline
The pharmaceutical company posted $14.5 billion in third-quarter net sales as high-growth drugs offset generic competition.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Healthcare
Live Poll
Is it concerning when a company's revenue relies on a few drugs facing future patent expiration?
Novartis announced a 4% increase in net sales for the third quarter of 2026, reaching $14.522 billion. Strong growth in products like Kisqali and Kesimpta countered a 38% decrease in Entresto sales triggered by generic competition.
Why it matters
The performance highlights the pressure pharmaceutical companies face as blockbuster medications reach patent expiration and encounter low-cost alternatives. Balancing these losses with new pipeline developments remains essential for long-term growth.
Total net sales for the third quarter of 2026 reached $14.522 billion. During this period, Entresto sales fell to $1.165 billion, while Kisqali and Kesimpta sales grew by 37% and 21% respectively.
The players
Novartis
A multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Switzerland that develops and manufactures a wide range of healthcare products.
The details
Volume growth added 14 percentage points to sales figures, though pricing adjustments reduced growth by one percentage point. The company also recorded a $1.9 billion partial impairment charge for the del-desiran research asset following the HARBOR study failing its primary endpoint.
Timeline
Q3 2026: Novartis reported financial results for the third quarter.
Q4 2026: The company expects to submit remibrutinib for U.S. approval.
Nov. 18-19, 2026: A scheduled Novartis management event will occur.
2031: Estimated U.S. patent expirations occur for Kisqali and Kesimpta.
Market Landscape
Novartis is navigating a challenging cycle defined by the Hatch-Waxman Act, which forces the company to balance expiring patent exclusivity with the expansion of new therapeutic assets. This shift underscores the reliance on rapid pipeline innovation to maintain market share against generic entrants.
The shift in Novartis revenue streams suggests a changing availability of certain established treatments as generics enter the market. Shareholders and investors should monitor how management navigates these revenue changes to maintain current drug supply levels.
The takeaway
The company relies on the continued success of growth drugs to offset the financial impact of off-patent medications. Long-term stability depends on the clinical success of new pipeline projects like remibrutinib.
What happens next
Novartis plans to submit remibrutinib for U.S. approval for multiple sclerosis treatment in Q4 2026, followed by a management event scheduled for November 18-19, 2026.
Further reading
For broader trends in the pharmaceutical sector, visit the Healthcare section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TokenPost.
Live Poll
Is it concerning when a company's revenue relies on a few drugs facing future patent expiration?
