Novo Nordisk A/S Announces Financial Statement for First Quarter 2007

BAGSVAERD, Denmark, May 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Novo Nordisk A/S today announced its financial statement for the first quarter of 2007.

-- Despite a significant negative currency development, Novo Nordisk reported 10% sales growth (16% in local currencies) -- Sales of modern insulins increased by 32% (39% in local currencies). -- Sales of NovoSeven(R) increased by 12% (18% in local currencies). -- Sales of Norditropin(R) increased by 11% (16% in local currencies). -- Sales in North America increased by 16% (27% in local currencies). -- Operating profit increased by 24% to USD 409 million. Adjusted for the impact from currencies underlying operating profit increased by more than 35%. -- Net profit increased by 41% to USD 300 million. Earnings per share (diluted) increased by 44% to USD 0.94. -- As a result of the significant depreciation of key invoicing currencies versus Danish kroner, reported operating profit is now expected to grow by 6-8%. Measured in local currencies the expectation for growth in operating profit is increased to more than 15%, reflecting a sustainable improvement in gross margin. -- The Danish Government has recently proposed a change in the corporation tax regime. If adopted in its current form, Novo Nordisk's future income tax rate is expected, on a recurring basis, to be reduced by close to 2 percentage points.

Lars Rebien Sorensen, president and CEO, said, "We are pleased with the solid sales growth that we have seen in the first quarter of 2007 despite the depreciation of key invoicing currencies. The US modern insulin market is a significant growth driver and we expect the US growth to continue supported by the expanded US sales force which will be in the field by the end of the second quarter."

* For convenience, Danish kroner has been translated to USD in this release, using the average exchange rate of USD 1.00 = DKK 5.68741.

The complete Novo Nordisk earnings announcement can be found at http://www.novonordisk.com.

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 novonordisk.com; for United States information, visit novonordisk-us.com.

CONTACT: Sean Clements of Novo Nordisk, +1-609-514-8316, or Investors,Christian Qvist Frandsen, +1-609-919-7937

Web site: http://www.novonordisk.com//