By Dominic Chopping

Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk AS raised full-year guidance after posting a forecast-beating rise in second-quarter net profit and strong demand for its new obesity treatment.

Growth was driven by all geographical areas within its international and North America operations and by all therapy areas, in particular its portfolio of GLP-1 drugs for treating Type 2 diabetes, the company said late Wednesday.

"We reached a very important milestone with the approval of Wegovy in the U.S., offering people living with obesity a new, efficacious treatment option," Chief Executive Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen said.

"The strong financial performance in the first half of 2021 and the initial substantial demand for Wegovy in the U.S. have enabled us to raise our outlook for the full year," he said.

Net profit rose to 12.12 billion Danish kroner ($1.93 billion) from DKK10.63 billion, above the DKK11.35 billion forecast by analysts in a FactSet poll.

Sales rose 10% to DKK33.04 billion, against analysts' expectations of DKK32.31 billion.

The company said it now expects 2021 sales growth of 10%-13% from 6%-10% previously, and operating profit growth of 9%-12% from 5%-9%, in local currencies.

Reported growth in sales is still seen around four percentage points lower than in local currencies, while reported operating profit growth is now seen five percentage points lower, from six percentage points lower, it said.

Write to Dominic Chopping at dominic.chopping@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

08-05-21 0217ET