Novo Nordisk's Victoza® (liraglutide) receives marketing 
authorisation in Europe 
 
 
Novo Nordisk announced today that the European Commission has granted 
marketing authorisation for Victoza® for the treatment of type 2 
diabetes in adults. The authorisation covers all 27 European Union 
member states. 
 
Victoza® is the brand name approved in Europe for liraglutide, the 
first once-daily human Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue 
developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The marketing 
authorisation covers: 
 
  * combination treatment with metformin or a sulphonylurea in 
    patients with insufficient glycaemic control despite maximal 
    tolerated dose of monotherapy with metformin or sulphonylurea, 
    and 
  * combination treatment with metformin and a sulphonylurea or 
    metformin and a thiazolidinedione in patients with insufficient 
    glycaemic control despite dual therapy. 
 
"This is an important milestone for Novo Nordisk and for the 
treatment of type 2 diabetes," says Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, 
executive vice president and chief science officer of Novo Nordisk. 
"In clinical studies involving more than 6,500 people with type 2 
diabetes, Victoza® has been shown to have a significant blood 
glucose-lowering effect and lead to weight loss, while having a low 
risk of hypoglycaemia. On this background, we are convinced that 
Victoza® is a valuable new treatment option for people with type 2 
diabetes." 
 
Novo Nordisk will launch Victoza® in the UK, Germany and Denmark 
during the summer and in other European markets during the second 
half of 2009 and throughout 2010. 
 
The marketing approval in Europe does not change Novo Nordisk's 
expectations for the company's financial results for 2009. Novo 
Nordisk will provide an update on the expectations for the company's 
financial results for 2009 on 6 August 2009 in connection with the 
release of the financial results for the first six months of 2009. 
 
About Victoza® 
 
Once-daily Victoza® is the first human Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 
(GLP-1) analogue developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. 
Victoza® works by stimulating the release of insulin only when blood 
sugar levels are high. Weight loss with Victoza® is attributed to the 
fact that it slows gastric emptying and leads to increased satiety 
after meals. Victoza® is naturally broken down in the body and does 
not require renal excretion. 
 
Throughout the clinical development programme, which involved more 
than 6,500 patients, Victoza® has demonstrated a favourable 
benefit:risk profile and has been compared to widely used diabetes 
treatments such as sulphonylureas (SUs) , thiazolidinediones (TZDs), 
insulin glargine and exenatide. 
 
On 23 May 2008, Novo Nordisk submitted a New Drug Application to the 
Food and Drug Administration in the US as well as a marketing 
authorisation application to the European Medicines Agency in Europe, 
for the approval of Victoza® for the treatment of people with type 2 
diabetes. A New Drug Application was also submitted for approval in 
Japan on 14 July 2008. 
 
In both the US and Japan, a regulatory decision is pending. 
 
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 27,900 
employees in 81 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 more information, visit 
novonordisk.com. 
 
Contacts for further information 
 
 
Media:                 Investors: 
 
Mike Rulis             Mads Veggerby Lausten 
Tel: (+45) 4442 3573   Tel: (+45) 4443 7919 
mike@novonordisk.com   mlau@novonordisk.com 
 
                       Kasper Roseeuw Poulsen 
                       Tel: (+45) 4442 4471 
                       krop@novonordisk.com 
 
In North America:      In North America: 
An Phan                Hans Rommer 
Tel: (+1) 609 558 0420 Tel: (+1) 609 919 7937 
anph@novonordisk.com   hrmm@novonordisk.com 
 
 
Company Announcement no 40 / 2009 
 
 
This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is 
solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 
 
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