Novo Nordisk A/S purchases B shares worth DKK 1.0 billion from Novo
A/S as part of the ongoing share repurchase programme
Novo Nordisk A/S has today acquired 3,304,800 B shares (nominal DKK
1), worth DKK 1.0 billion, from Novo A/S as part of the ongoing DKK
17.5 billion share repurchase programme for 2006-2009. The
transaction price is DKK 307.37 per share and has been calculated as
the average market price from 7 August to 13 August in the open
trading window following the announcement of Novo Nordisk's financial
results for the first six months of 2008.
Novo A/S has hereby re-adjusted its ownership of Novo Nordisk A/S to
25.5%, equal to the level of ownership prior to the cancellation of
treasury shares, which took place in June 2008.
The total shareholding of Novo A/S in Novo Nordisk A/S prior to the
sale of B shares was 107,487,200 A shares (nominal DKK 1) and
57,487,600 B shares (nominal DKK 1), corresponding to 26.0% of the
share capital and 70.7% of votes. The current transaction reduces
Novo A/S' ownership of Novo Nordisk A/S to 25.5% of capital and 70.5%
of votes.
Henrik Gürtler, CEO of Novo A/S, said: "Following the recent
cancellation of treasury shares Novo A/S has re-aligned its
shareholding in Novo Nordisk A/S to the level of just over 25%, which
has been our target since the demerger of Novozymes A/S in 2000. We
remain a committed long-term majority shareholder of Novo Nordisk."
As of 14 August 2008, Novo Nordisk has repurchased B shares amounting
to DKK 3.0 billion in 2008. Novo Nordisk A/S and its wholly-owned
affiliates now own 21,264,030 of its own B shares of DKK 1,
corresponding to a total nominal value of DKK 21,264,030 or 3.35% of
the total share capital.
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 approximately 26,300
employees in 80 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.
Novo A/S, the holding company in the Novo Group, was established
prior to the demerger of Novo Nordisk in 2000. Novo A/S is a private
limited liability company, fully owned by the Novo Nordisk
Foundation. Besides being the majority shareholder in Novozymes A/S
and Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo A/S provides venture capital to
development stage companies with pioneering scientific ideas within
life science, and assists the Novo Group companies in implementing
and evaluating the commitments set out in the 'Charter for Companies
in the Novo Group'. For more information, visit novo.dk.
Further information on Novo Nordisk please contact:
Media: Investors:
Elin K Hansen Mads Veggerby Lausten
Tel: (+45) 4442 3450 Tel: (+45) 4443 7919
ekh@novonordisk.com mlau@novonordisk.com
Hans Rommer
Tel: (+45) 4442 4765
hrmm@novonordisk.com
In North America:
Sean Clements
Tel: (+1) 609 514 8316
secl@novonordisk.com
Further information on Novo A/S please contact:
Media:
Henrik Gürtler, CEO
Tel: (+45) 4442 2189
Thorkil Kastberg Christensen, CFO
Tel: (+45) 4442 3197
Company Announcement no 51 / 2008