PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Novo Nordisk, the world's leading diabetes company, today announced the appointment of Jerzy Gruhn as president of Novo Nordisk Inc., the company's U.S. affiliate, and senior vice president of Novo Nordisk North America. Gruhn will replace Martin Soeters, who will take up the position as senior vice president European region, overseeing the company's operations in 35 countries. Gruhn is currently vice president of the Eastern Europe region. The appointments will take effect on January 1, 2008.
"We are making these changes at a time when Novo Nordisk is doing well in both Europe and North America and are confident that we have the right leadership to secure our future growth in the two regions," said Kare Schultz, executive vice president and chief operating officer.
During his 11 years with Novo Nordisk, Gruhn has played a critical role in the company's growth, gaining the company a leading position in Eastern and Central Europe. In his current position as vice president of the Europe East region, he overcame strong competitive pressures and adverse market conditions caused by pricing reforms and reimbursement issues to expand the company's business in the region to 16 countries with diverse cultures and market dynamics.
"North America is not only the world's largest diabetes market, but also a region populated by people passionate about stopping the diabetes epidemic here and around the world," said Gruhn. "Novo Nordisk will continue to be a leader in changing diabetes by embracing a unique business model that allows us to be socially and environmentally responsible, while achieving fiscal growth to advance diabetes care."
Martin Soeters has more than 27 years' experience in Novo Nordisk in executive management, sales and marketing. Since he took over responsibility for the company's operations in the North American region in 2000 he has grown annual sales from $500 million in 2000 to $2.1 billion in 2006. Under his leadership, Novo Nordisk has successfully launched the company's complete portfolio of modern insulin, earned a position as the diabetes care leader in the North American market and at the same time built a strong biopharmaceuticals business. Today, Novo Nordisk employs more than 3,000 people in the U.S.
About Novo Nordisk
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 25,000 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.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020404/NVOLOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.orgPRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comNovo Nordisk Inc.CONTACT: Media, Sean Clements, +1-609-514-8316, secl@novonordisk.com, orInvestors, Christian Qvist Frandsen, +1-609-919-7937, cqfr@novonordisk.com,both of Novo Nordisk Inc.
