Novo Nordisk Increased Operating Profit by 11% in the First Nine Months of 2007 Based on a 9% Sales Increase and an Improved Gr...( PRINCETON N.J. Oct. 31 /- Novo No...)

PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO), a global healthcare company, today released its financial statement for the period January 1, 2007 to September 30, 2007.

-- Novo Nordisk increased sales by 14% in local currencies and by 9% in

Danish kroner due to a significant negative currency development.

-- Sales of modern insulins increased by 37% (31% in Danish kroner).

-- Sales of NovoSeven(R) increased by 10% (4% in Danish kroner).

-- Sales of Norditropin(R) increased by 12% (7% in Danish kroner).

-- Sales in North America increased by 25% (15% in Danish kroner).

-- Gross margin increased to 76.7% in the first nine months of 2007 up

from 75.2% in the same period last year, primarily reflecting continued

productivity improvements.

-- Operating profit increased by 11% to USD 1,410 million. Adjusted for

the impact from currencies, underlying operating profit increased by

more than 20%.

-- Net profit increased by 60% to USD 1,361 million, primarily reflecting

the divestment of Dako's business activities in the second quarter of

2007. Earnings per share (diluted) increased by 62% to USD 4.26.

-- The expectation for full-year sales growth is still 11-14% measured in

local currencies and now 6-9% as reported due to the depreciation of

key invoicing currencies. Full-year operating profit growth remains

unchanged around 20% measured in local currencies and is now expected

to be close to 10% as reported.

-- In October, Novo Nordisk received marketing authorization for

Levemir(R) in Japan for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes including

combination treatment with oral antidiabetics.

Lars Rebien Sorensen, president and CEO, said "Our portfolio of modern insulins continues to show strong sales growth in all key markets. Within the next few months we
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