BAGSVAERD, Denmark, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Novo Nordisk A/S today announced its financial statement for 2005. In the statement, the company announced sales in 2005 increased by 16%; operating profit grew by 16%, which exceeded previous expectations.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020404/NVOLOGO ) * Reported sales in 2005 increased by 16% * Sales of insulin analogs increased by 62% * Sales of NovoSeven(R) increased by 16% * Sales in North America increased by 27% * Sales in International Operations increased by 25% * Operating profit increased by 16% to USD 1,349 million while underlying operating profit (measured in local currencies and excluding non- recurring items) increased by around 20%. * Net profit increased by 17% to USD 978 million and earnings per share (diluted) increased by 20% to USD 2.97. * The long-term eco-efficiency targets established in 2001 were achieved in 2005. Total realized improvements in the eco-efficiency, as measured by EPI indices, from 2001 to 2005 were 49% for water and 84% for energy. * At the Annual General Meeting on March 8, 2006, the Board of Directors will propose a 25% increase in dividend to USD 1.00 per share of DKK 2. A new share repurchase program of USD 1 billion will be initiated in 2006. * In 2006, Novo Nordisk expects to increase operating profit by slightly more than 10%.
Lars Rebien Sorensen, president & CEO, said: “We are pleased with the results achieved in 2005. Novo Nordisk insulin now constitutes more than half of the insulin sold globally, and we expect the strong demand for our strategic products to continue in 2006 despite increased competition. We are confident that we also in 2006 will be able to deliver solid financial performance while at the same time increasing our investments in both R&D and in sales and marketing.”
* For convenience, Danish kroner has been translated to USD in this release, using the average exchange rate of USD 1.00 = DKK 5.99669.
The complete Novo Nordisk financial statement can be found at http://www.novonordisk.com.
Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company with an 80-year history of innovation and achievement in diabetes care. With the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems, Novo Nordisk is a world leader in diabetes care. In the United States, Novo Nordisk’s ambition is Changing Diabetes. Working as a catalyst to improve diabetes prevention and treatment, the company strives to be the preferred partner for employees, patients, healthcare providers, and others in the healthcare system who share its vision to defeat diabetes. 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 approximately 21,600 full-time employees in 78 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://www.novonordisk.com; for United States information, visit http://www.novonordisk-us.com.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020404/NVOLOGOPRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.comNovo Nordisk A/S
CONTACT: Media: Susan Jackson, +1-609-919-7776; Investors: Mads VeggerbyLausten, +1-609-919-7937, both of Novo Nordisk A/S
Web site: http://www.novonordisk-us.com/
