Novo Nordisk A/S Increased Sales By 20% In The First Six Months

BAGSVAERD, Denmark, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Novo Nordisk A/S today announced its financial statement for the period January 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006.

-- Reported sales increased by 20% in the first six months of 2006 -- Sales of insulin analogs increased by 59% -- Sales of NovoSeven(R) Coagulation Factor VIIa (Recombinant) increased by 19% -- Sales in North America increased by 31% -- Sales in International Operations increased by 41% -- Operating profit increased by 17% to USD 742 million. Adjusted for the impact from currencies and non-recurring items, underlying operating profit increased by around 16%. -- Net profit was largely unchanged at USD 486 million, and earnings per share (diluted) increased by 4% to USD 1.50. -- The full-year expectations have been increased -- Reported sales are expected to grow by 13-15%, an increase from the previous expectation of 11-13%, primarily reflecting the solid sales performance during the first six months. -- Operating profit is expected to grow by around 13% as reported, compared to the previous expectation of slightly more than 10% growth, whereas underlying operating profit growth is now expected to be around 15%, up from the previous expectation of around 10%.

Lars Rebien Sorensen, president and CEO, said "Our business has performed very well in the first six months of 2006 in terms of both sales and production economics. This enables us to upgrade the full-year growth expectations for both sales and operating profit."

* For convenience, Danish kroner has been translated to USD in this

release, using the average exchange rate of USD 1.00 = DKK 6.07473

The complete Novo Nordisk earnings announcement 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. 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 22,500 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: Media: Susan Jackson, +1-609-919-7776, or Investors: MadsVeggerby Lausten, +1-609-919-7937, both for Novo Nordisk A/S

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