LONDON, May 2 (Reuters) -

Novo Nordisk raised its 2024 outlook on Thursday

as it posted first-quarter operating profit above analyst

forecasts.

The raised outlook and strong results underscore

Wegovy's success and Novo's lead in the fast-growing obesity

drug market, even as the company faces fierce competition from

U.S. rival Eli Lilly ( LLY ).

Novo said it now expects sales growth this year of

between 19% and 27% in local currencies, compared to the

previously guided range for 18% to 26% growth.

Operating profit growth this year is now seen at between

22% and 30% in local currencies, slightly up from its previous

forecast of 21% to 29%.

Novo reported first-quarter earnings before interest and

taxation (EBIT) of 31.8 billion Danish crowns, above the 29

billion forecast by analysts in a LSEG poll this week.