- February 3, 2009 - Novo Nordisk, the world leader in diabetes care, is pleased to announce its fifth consecutive annual report with the company's financial and non-financial performance in one inclusive document. Novo Nordisk has reported environmental performance for 15 years and social performance for 10.

During fiscal year 2008, Novo Nordisk:

• Increased sales by 12% (measured in local currencies) and by 9% in Danish kroner to DKK 45,553 million compared to the prior year.
• Increased reported operating profit by 38% to DKK 12,373 million compared to 2007.
• Maintained global leadership in diabetes care with 52% of the total insulin market and 44% of the modern insulin market.
• Reduced CO2 emissions by 9% and water consumption by 17% even as production and sales increased.
• Launched a programme to provide sustainable diabetes treatment for children in the world's poorest countries.

• International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• AA1000 Assurance Standard (2003).
• US Sarbanes"“Oxley Act requirements for documenting and reporting on the effectiveness of internal controls for financial reporting. Novo Nordisk embarked in 2008 on a process of structuring the control environment for non-financial data with the aspiration to have full alignment with the control environment for financial data.
• The accountability standard, the AA1000 Framework.
• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines.
• UN Global Compact, Communication on Progress.

Novo Nordisk has chosen to apply the term 'non-financial reporting' to performance on sustainability driven issues. The company's annual report includes both financial statements and non-financial statements, while the narrative parts of the report present the company's performance from an inclusive perspective.

The report is available online, along with information supplementing the report PDF, at http://annualreport2008.novonordisk.com

About Novo Nordisk"¨

Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as haemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession and society. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 27,000 employees in 81 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 more information, visit novonordisk.com.

Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within haemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. We believe that a healthy economy, environment and society are fundamental to long-term value creation. This is why we manage our business in accordance with the Triple Bottom Line business principle and consider the financial, environmental and social impact of our business decisions. The strategic commitment to corporate sustainability has brought the company onto centre stage as a leading player in today's business environment, recognised for its integrated reporting, stakeholder engagement and consistently high sustainability performance.

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