Managing Diabetes is Now Simpler and More Convenient with New Premixed Insulin Analogue

- Available in Canada, NovoMix 30 Helps Patients Achieve Blood Glucose Control -

CALGARY, Alberta, April 3, 2007 /CNW/ - Canadians with diabetes now have a new treatment option, which controls blood glucose throughout the day and helps to simplify and improve the management of the disease. (1)(2) Now available in Canada, NovoMix(R) 30 (biphasic insulin aspart) is a premixed insulin analogue indicated for adults affected by diabetes that is a great option for people who are having difficulty controlling their blood sugar using human insulin or anti-diabetic pills, or are just starting to use insulin.

Diabetes is an epidemic in this country that affects more than two million Canadians. Ninety per cent of these people have type 2 diabetes.(3) Diabetes is a serious condition that needs to be managed throughout a lifetime. There is no cure, so using newer types of insulin that more closely mimic the body's own insulin can help Canadians affected by diabetes achieve long-term health. If left untreated or poorly managed, diabetes can lead to heart disease, kidney disease and blindness.(4)

"Many people with diabetes believe that their blood glucose is well controlled when this may not be the case. Often they start taking insulin later than they should, which can lead to serious long-term complications," said Dr. Stuart Ross, Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Calgary. NovoMix(R) 30 helps simplify the management of diabetes care because it combines a rapid-acting and long-acting insulin into one dose, and it has also been shown to help people with diabetes achieve recommended blood glucose targets."

In addition to long-term complications, people with diabetes also worry about side effects like dizziness and disorientation that can occur when their blood glucose is too low or they have too much insulin. These types of effects are less likely with insulin analogues like NovoMix(R) 30.(5)
    
People with diabetes take insulin because their bodies are unable to produce insulin, or enough insulin, needed to manage blood sugar. NovoMix(R) 30 contains two components -- a long-lasting insulin and a rapid-acting insulin analogue that starts to work in 10 minutes -- in one dose. This premixed combination closely mimics the body's own insulin by providing a rapid initial blood glucose lowering effect needed right at mealtimes, followed by a prolonged effect that controls blood glucose throughout the day.

"Insulin has been very effective in helping me manage my diabetes, but I currently have to take insulin every night before bed, and at least 30 minutes before every meal, which can be hit and miss especially when I eat out," said Salma Ladak, who has been living with diabetes for more than 25 years. "The
availability of NovoMix(R) 30 means I can more easily control my blood sugar with a less rigid schedule, and less worry about blood sugar lows. It will make a significant difference in the way I feel about my diabetes."

Type 2 Diabetes

More than two million Canadians have diabetes, and this number is expected to rise to more than three million by the end of the decade.(6) Type 2 diabetes is the most common, affecting approximately 90 per cent of Canadians with the disease.(7)
    
Diabetes can lead to serious health complications, including increased risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation.(8) The cost of diabetes to Canadian society is expected to rise to $19.2 billion by 2020.(9)
    
Lifestyle changes, including healthy eating and physical activity, can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.(10)

NOVO NORDISK CANADA INC.

Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care and biopharmaceuticals. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession and society. Novo Nordisk's business is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to economic success, environmental soundness, and social responsibility to employees and customers.

The company's 80-year history of diabetes care innovation and achievement originated in Canada where insulin was discovered. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk has more than 23,500 full-time employees in 79 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'NVO'. For more information, visit www.novonordisk.com.

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     ---------------------------------------------------
     (1)    Boehm B, et al. European Journal of Internal Medicine 2004;15:496
     (2)    Raskin P, Allen E, Hollander P, et. al. Initiating Insulin Therapy
            in Type 2 Diabetes: A comparison of biphasic and basal insulin
            analogs. Diabetes Care 2005; 28.
     (3)    Canadian Diabetes Association. The Prevalence and costs of
            Diabetes. Available at:
            http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_About/prevalence.asp.
            Accessed on: January 16, 2007.
     (4)    Ibid
     (5)    Boehm B, et al. European Journal of Internal Medicine 2004;15:496
     (6)    Canadian Diabetes Association. The Prevalence and costs of
            Diabetes. Available at:
            http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_About/prevalence.asp.
            Accessed on: January 16, 2007.
     (7)    Canadian Diabetes Association. Diabetes Facts. Available at:
            http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_About/thefacts.asp. Accessed on:
            January 16, 2007.
     (8)    Canadian Diabetes Association. The Prevalence and costs of
            Diabetes. Available at:
            http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_About/prevalence.asp.
            Accessed on: January 16, 2007.
     (9)    Ibid
     (10)   Canadian Diabetes Association. Diabetes Facts. Available at:
            http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_About/thefacts.asp.
            Accessed on: January 16, 2007.
     >>

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/For further information: Dana Allison, Jennifer Goode, Edelman, (416)
979-1120, ext. 318, 230, Dana.Allison@edelman.com, Jennifer.Goode@edelman.com/

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