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Novo Nordisk increased operating profit by 27% in 2010

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^{Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 at 1:01 GMT by Market Wire}  

BAGSVAERD, DENMARK--(Marketwire - February 2, 2011) - Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE: [ NVO ])

• Sales increased by 19% in Danish kroner and by 13% in local currencies.
  • Sales of modern insulins increased by 24% (18% in local currencies).
  • Sales of NovoSeven^® increased by 14% (8% in local currencies).
  • Sales of Victoza^® reached DKK 2,317 million in 2010.
  • Sales in North America increased by 29% (22% in local currencies).
  • Sales in International Operations increased by 24% (15% in local currencies).

• Gross margin improved by 1.2 percentage points in Danish kroner to 80.8% in 2010, reflecting a favourable product mix development and a positive currency impact.

• Reported operating profit increased by 27% to DKK 18,891 million. Measured in local currencies, operating profit increased by approximately 16%.

• Net profit increased by 34% to DKK 14,403 million. Earnings per share (diluted) increased by 38% to DKK 24.60.

• The phase 3a programme for Degludec and DegludecPlus has now been completed. In the largest trial, the one-year trial comparing Degludec and insulin glargine when added to oral anti-diabetic therapy in type 2 diabetes, Degludec met the primary endpoint of non-inferior glucose control while reducing nocturnal hypoglycaemia by more than 35% compared to insulin glargine.

• For 2011, sales growth measured in local currencies is expected to be 8-10%, and operating profit growth measured in local currencies is expected to be around 15%.

• In 2010, Novo Nordisk reached the four long-term financial targets announced in the annual report for 2008. Consequently, three of the four targets have been increased while the core target of 15% annual operating profit growth has been maintained.

• At the Annual General Meeting on 23 March 2011, the Board of Directors will propose a 33% increase in dividend to DKK 10 per share. The Board of Directors has furthermore decided to initiate a new share repurchase programme of DKK 10 billion in 2011.

Lars Rebien Sørensen, president and CEO: "2010 was a very good year for Novo Nordisk with strong organic sales growth driven by the modern insulins and Victoza^®. We expect continued sales growth from these products and are encouraged by the results from the phase 3 programme with our new generation insulins."

Full press release can be downloaded from the following link: [ https://newsclient.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?showInline=true&messageAttachmentId=333827 ]