Leqvio Sales Still Lag But Novartis Is Playing The Long Game

Established blockbusters Cosentyx and Entresto, plus new multiple sclerosis drug Kesimpta, pushed Novartis AG sales to a healthy level in the second quarter but the closely watched cholesterol treatment Leqvio has yet to make much of a contribution to the Swiss major’s coffers.

Leqvio (inclisiran), which was launched in the US in January and was approved in Europe in December 2020, brought in just $22m, a slight advance on first-quarter 2022 sales of $14m. The PCSK9-targeted small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy, which is administered twice annually and formed the basis of Novartis's $9