ZymoGenetics, Inc. files registration statement for an initial public offering of common stock

Novo Nordisk holds on a fully diluted basis approximately 47% of the total equity of ZymoGenetics.

 

Lars Rebien Sørensen, president and chief executive officer of Novo Nordisk, said: "A public offering should provide ZymoGenetics with increased opportunities and as a continuing shareholder in the company, we support ZymoGenetics' efforts."

 

In connection with launching ZymoGenetics as an independent company last year, Novo Nordisk and ZymoGenetics entered into an agreement by which Novo Nordisk is granted an option to obtain certain rights to product candidates from ZymoGenetics.

 

Recently Novo Nordisk exercised options to license three proteins from ZymoGenetics currently in early research, including Interleukin 20 (IL-20 - inflammation) and 21 (IL-21 - cancer).  These proteins are part of the early stage research carried out at Novo Nordisk.

 

Forward-looking statement
The above sections contain forward-looking statements as the term is defined in the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

 

Such forward-looking statements are subject to risk and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, including unexpected developments in the international currency exchange and securities markets, delay or failure of development projects, production problems, government-mandated or market-driven price decreases for Novo Nordisk's products in the company's major markets and the introduction of competing products within Novo Nordisk's core businesses.

 

These and other risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by Novo Nordisk with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) including the company's Form 20-F, which was filed on 28 April 2001.

 

Novo Nordisk is under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this report or to confirm such statements to actual results, unless required by law.

 

 

 

Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) 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 15,000 people in 68 countries and markets its products in 179 countries. For further company information visit www.novonordisk.com.

 

For further information please contact:

 

Novo Nordisk 

 

Media:
Outside North America:
Karsten Madsen
Phone (direct): (+45) 4442 4137

 

In North America:
Susan Jackson
Phone (direct): (+1) 212 867 0123

 

Investors:
Outside North America:
Peter Haahr
Phone (direct): (+45) 4442 1207

 

Palle Holm Olesen
Phone (direct): (+45) 4442 6175

 

In North America
Rasmus Jorgensen
Phone (direct): (+1) 212 878 9607

 

Stock Exchange Announcement No 16 / 2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact:

 

Charles E. Hart, Ph.D.
Senior Director of Corporate Communication
and Investor Relations
ZymoGenetics, Inc.
(206) 442-6744
www.zymogenetics.com 

 

Sharon Karlsberg
Director
Feinstein Kean Healthcare
(617) 577-8110
www.fkhealth.com

 

 

 

Seattle, WA, September 10, 2001 -- ZymoGenetics, Inc. announced today that it has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of its common stock.  All the offered shares will be sold by ZymoGenetics.  The joint book-running managers for the offering will be Lehman Brothers Inc. and Merrill Lynch & Co.  Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. and Pacific Growth Equities, Inc. will be co-managers.  ZymoGenetics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic protein-based products for the treatment of human disease.

 

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective.  These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.