Eli Lilly's quarterly sales rose for the first time in seven quarters, helped by demand for its new diabetes and cancer drugs as well as the acquisition of Novartis's animal-health business.

Lilly’s sales had fallen for six quarters in a row as a slew of patent expiries over the past three years slashed demand for its biggest products.

The company’s total revenue rose to $4.98 billion in the second quarter ended June 30th, from $4.94 billion a year earlier. Analysts on average were expecting revenue to fall to $4.91 billion.

The company also saw strong demand for its recently launched diabetes drugs Jardiance and Trulicity and its cancer drug Cyramza.

Lilly’s net profit fell to $600.8 million, or $0.56 per share, from $733.5 million, or $0.68 per share, a year earlier. Excluding items, it earned $0.90 per share, handsomely beating analysts’ estimate of $0.74.

Lilly raised its full-year adjusted profit forecast to $3.20-$3.30 per share from $3.10-$3.20. It also bumped up the lower end of its sales forecast to a range of $19.7-$20 billion from $19.5-$20 billion.

– Reuters