Novo Nordisk ups 2009 EBIT outlook after Q3 rise

COPENHAGEN Oct 29 (Reuters) - The world's biggest insulin producer Novo Nordisk (NOVOb.CO) reported a bigger-than-forecast increase in operating profits for the third quarter and raised its guidance for 2009 profit growth.

Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rose to 3.81 billion Danish crowns ($759.4 million) in July-September from 3.32 billion in the same quarter last year.

The result beat an average expectation of a rise to 3.60 billion crowns in a Reuters poll of 19 analysts whose EBIT estimates ranged from 3.09 billion to 4.08 billion crowns.

"The robust sales growth for our portfolio of modern insulins is the key driver of the solid business performance in the first nine months of 2009," Chief Executive Lars Sorensen said in a statement.

The company raised its guidance for full-year 2009 operating profit growth in local currencies to around 15 percent from a previous forecast of 12-14 percent, and kept its forecast for sales growth in local currencies steady at around 10 percent.

Novo Nordisk said it still expected formal feedback from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on its Victoza diabetes drug, a rival to Eli Lilly's (LLY.N) Byetta, during the fourth quarter.

(Reporting by Copenhagen newsroom)