Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE: NVO) today announced an out-of-court settlement in a US patent infringement lawsuit brought against Pharmacia Corporation (NYSE:PHA). The suit involved Genotropin® (somatropin [rDNA origin] for injection), Pharmacia's biosynthetic human growth hormone product which competes with Novo Nordisk's Norditropin® (somatropin [rDNA origin] for injection) human growth hormone.
The agreement will have no significant impact on Novo Nordisk's financial results. Terms of the settlement will not be disclosed.
Lars Rebien Sørensen, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk said, "We are pleased to have reached an equitable settlement with Pharmacia regarding this litigation. We have thus achieved our goal of protecting our intellectual property without adversely affecting the well-being of patients."
The Novo Nordisk growth hormone, Norditropin®, was first introduced in Europe in 1988, and was later approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1995. Norditropin® cartridge and NordiPen®, the first and only premixed growth hormone for a pen, was introduced into the US market in October 2000.
Novo Nordisk is a focused healthcare company and the world leader in diabetes care. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as coagulation disorders, growth disorders 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 14,000 people in 68 countries and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's 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". For further company information visit www.novonordisk.com.
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