BASEL, Switzerland—Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) reported Tuesday that sales and income increased across all its divisions in the third quarter, including its Alcon eyecare business unit, which the pharmaceutical company said is showing progress across its “growth acceleration” plans. (See related story in VMail about Novartis’ updated plans for potentially spinning off Alcon in early 2019).

In its announcement, Novartis said net sales in the third quarter increased 2 percent to $12.4 billion, as volume growth of 7 percentage points, including growth from prescription drugs Cosentyx and Entresto and Alcon, was partly offset by the negative impact of generic competition (-4 percentage points) and pricing (-1 percentage point).

Operating income totaled $2.4 billion (a 4 percent increase), an increase due in part to “growth drivers (six key Rx drugs), productivity and a gain from a Swiss pension plan amendment.” These were partly offset by generic erosion, Novartis reported. Net income increased 7 percent to $2.1 billion, driven by the strong operating income and higher income from associated companies, according to the company’s announcement.

Joseph Jimenez, chief executive officer, said of the third-quarter performance: "Novartis became the first company to commercialize a CAR-T therapy, Kymriah, in Q3. Group sales were solid, with growth in all divisions, and Alcon delivered strong growth in both sales and core operating income. We are on track to deliver our full year guidance, and have confidence in our growth phase.”

Additionally, Novartis said it has decided to move the Novartis ophthalmic OTC products (2016 sales of $700 million) to the Alcon division effective Jan. 1, 2018. This is “where we believe the products will create most value, as they are complementary to the Alcon Vision Care business,” according to the announcement.