Demerger of Novo Nordisk A/S approved at extraordinary general meeting

 | Source: Novo Nordisk A/S Novo Nordisk A/S

At the extraordinary general meeting of the company the shareholders adopted the following proposals from the Board:
  • The demerger of Novo Nordisk A/S into two separate companies, Novozymes A/S (enzymes) and Novo Nordisk A/S (healthcare). The demerger will take effect retroactively as of 1 January 2000.
  • Articles of Association, the proposed Board of Directors and appointment of accountants for Novozymes A/S.
  • New Board of Directors of Novo Nordisk A/S.
  • Amendments of the Articles of Association for Novo Nordisk A/S.
Palle Marcus, the chairman of the Board, explained the background for the proposed demerger of the company: "The aim of the new structure is to ensure that the different business needs of the two companies are effectively met and that their business potentials are exploited in best possible way. Both companies will be able to pursue their own independent strategies and business plans to the benefit of the business, the shareholders and the employees. However, both companies will remain part of the Novo Group, building on the governance principles that have established Novo Nordisk as the enterprise it is today." Palle Marcus further thanked Mads Øvlisen for his outstanding achievements during his long service as president and CEO of Novo Nordisk.
 
The Board of Directors of Novozymes A/S comprises:
  • Co-president Henrik Gürtler, Novo A/S, Denmark (chairman)
  • Co-president Kurt Anker Nielsen, Novo A/S, Denmark
  • Senior vice president Paul Petter Aas, Hydro Agri Division, Norsk Hydro ASA, Norway
  • President and CEO Jerker Hartwall, Karlshamns AB, Sweden
  • Managing director Walther Thygesen, Compaq A/S, Denmark
  • Director Hans Werdelin, Denmark
The following members stepped down from Novo Nordisk A/S' Board:
  • Director Palle Marcus
  • Professor Jaromir Ruzicka
  • Director Hans Werdelin
  • Professor, Dr Med Sc Gert Almind (1 July 2000)
The shareholders at the extraordinary general meeting elected the following new members to the Board of Novo Nordisk A/S:
  • Director Kurt Brinner, Switzerland
  • President and CEO Niels Jacobsen, William Demant Holding A/S and Oticon Danmark A/S
  • President Kurt Anker Nielsen, Novo A/S, Denmark
  • Executive vice president Jørgen Wedel, The Gillette Company, US
The Board of Directors of Novo Nordisk A/S now comprises:
  • Mads Øvlisen (chairman)
  • President Kurt Anker Nielsen, Novo A/S, Denmark (vice-chairman)
  • Director Kurt Brinner, Switzerland
  • Specialist laboratory technician Tove Funder-Nielsen (employee representative)
  • President and CEO Niels Jacobsen, William Demant Holding A/S and Oticon Danmark A/S
  • Ulf J Johansson, Dr Tech
  • Laboratory technician Anne Marie Kverneland (employee representative)
  • Chemical engineer Morten Munk (employee representative)
  • Electrician Stig Strøbæk (employee representative)
  • Executive vice president Jørgen Wedel, The Gillette Company, US
Novo Nordisk A/S is the world leader in insulin and diabetes care and also manufactures and markets a variety of other pharmaceutical products. Furthermore the company is the world's largest producer of enzymes for industrial use. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 16,200 people in 68 countries and markets its products in 179 countries. Its B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NVO". A demerger of Novo Nordisk with the intention to spin off the Enzyme Business into a separately listed company is expected to take place following an extraordinary general meeting in mid-November. For further company information, visit Novo Nordisk on the Internet at http://www.novo.dk
 
For further information please contact:
 
Media
 
Novozymes A/S:
Eva Louise Holm Petersen
Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 3338
 
Novo Nordisk A/S
Outside North America  
Karsten Madsen
Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 4137
 
In North America
Brian Zignego
Tel (+1) 212-867-0123
 
Investors
 
Novozymes A/S:
Michael Steen-Knudsen
Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 6048
 
Novo Nordisk A/S
Outside North America
Peter Haahr
Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 1207
 
Rasmus Holm-Jørgensen
Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 2983 
 
In North America
Rasmus Holm-Jørgensen
Tel (direct): (+1) 212-878-9607

Recommended Reading