By Olivia Bugault

Novartis AG said Thursday ahead of its research-and-development day starting later today that it expects sales to keep growing in the mid-term mainly thanks to its main in-market growth drivers, while several new assets could be approved by 2026.

The Swiss pharma giant said that sales should continue to rise at a compound annual growth rate of at least 4% through 2026, driven by multi-billion dollar sales from its medicines Cosentyx, Entresto, Kesimpta, Zolgensma, Kisqali and Leqvio.

"Up to 20 new assets with significant sales potential could be approved by 2026, which will fuel the next phase of growth and address major unmet needs," Novartis's Chief Executive Vas Narasimhan said.

Novartis also said that Cosentyx, its largest drug by sales, met primary efficacy endpoints in two phase 3 studies called Sunrise and Sunshine in which patients are treated for moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa--a chronic skin disease.

Write to Olivia Bugault at olivia.bugault@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

12-02-21 0207ET