Novo Nordisk Increased First Half-Year Operating Profit by 14% and Raises the Expectation for 2007 Operating Profit Growth to Around 10%

PRINCETON, N.J., August 03, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Novo Nordisk , a global healthcare company, today released its financial statement for the period January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2007.*

    -- Novo Nordisk increased sales by 14% in local currencies and -- due to a


       significant negative currency development -- by 9% in Danish kroner.

       - Sales of modern insulins increased by 37% (31% in Danish kroner).

       - Sales of NovoSeven(R) increased by 11% (5% in Danish kroner).

       - Sales of Norditropin(R) increased by 13% (7% in Danish kroner).

       - Sales in North America increased by 25% (16% in Danish kroner).


    -- Gross margin increased to 77.0% in the first six months of 2007 up from


       75.0% in the same period last year, primarily reflecting continued

       productivity improvements.


    -- Operating profit increased by 14% to $916 million (United States

       Dollars). Adjusted for the impact from currencies underlying operating

       profit increased by around 25%.


    -- Net profit increased by 81% to $956 million, primarily reflecting the

       divestment of Dako's business activities. Earnings per share (diluted)

       increased by 84% to $2.99.


    -- The full-year expectation for operating profit growth is now around

       10%, primarily reflecting a sustainable improvement in gross margin.

       Measured in local currencies the expectation for full-year operating

       profit growth is now increased to around 20%.


    -- Novo Nordisk has announced very positive results from the first phase 3


       study with liraglutide, a human GLP-1 analogue, showing that

       liraglutide is statistically superior to insulin glargine in terms of

       blood glucose control and weight loss.

Lars Rebien Sorensen, president and CEO, said, "The business continues to perform very well with robust sales growth and a sustained improvement in our gross margin. We are also very pleased with the first phase 3 results on liraglutide which are expected to be supported by results from additional phase 3 studies during the following months."

* For convenience, Danish kroner have been translated to US dollars in this release, using the average exchange rate of USD 1.00 = DKK 5.60610.

Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company with an 84-year history of innovation and achievement in diabetes care. The company has the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems. In addition to diabetes care, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as hemostasis management, growth hormone therapy, and hormone therapy for women. 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. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 23,600 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 global information, visit http://novonordisk.com; for United States information, visit http://novonordisk-us.com.

CONTACT: Media, Sean Clements, +1-609-514-8316, or Investors, ChristianQvist Frandsen, +1-609-919-7937, both of Novo Nordisk

Web site: http://novonordisk.com/http://novonordisk-us.com/

Ticker Symbol: (NYSE:NVO)

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