Novo reports $2.2 bn impairment hit as pipeline setbacks spur deal hunt

Novo's third‑quarter earnings disclosed a 15 billion Danish‑krone (about $2.2 bn) impairment charge, largely tied to recent clinical failures.

The biggest components were a 4.6 bn‑krone loss from the cardiovascular candidate ziltivekimab and a 4 bn‑krone write‑off for the obesity drug monlunabant.

Despite the hit, adjusted operating profit grew 27 % driven by strong sales of the oral obesity treatment Wegovy, though reported operating profit fell 9 % because of the one‑off charges.

CFO Karsten Munk Knudsen said the impairments clean up the balance sheet and improve runway, and announced he will leave the company at year‑end. Novo’s CEO said the firm continues to seek acquisitions that can fill pipeline gaps.