Annual general meeting at Novo Nordisk A/S

At the annual general meeting of Novo Nordisk A/S today, the shareholders adopted

the Board of Directors' report on the company's activities in the past financial year
the annual accounts with the audit report, financial report and consolidated accounts, including profit and loss account and balance sheet, giving discharge to the Management and Board of Directors
the distribution of profit as proposed in the approved accounts. Thus the dividend will be DKK 9.75 per share of DKK 10 (DKK 4.88 per ADS), an increase of 26% compared with 1998
the re-election to the Board of Directors of Gert Almind, family physician, professor, Dr Med Sc, and Ole Scherfig, director
the re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young represented by John Lundin, Danish state-authorised public accountant
the proposal to authorise the Board of Directors in the period until the next annual general meeting to repurchase own shares of the company within 10% of the total share capital, at the market price on the date of purchase with a deviation of up to 10%, cf Section 48 of the Danish Companies Act.

In his oral report Vagn Andersen, the chairman of the Board, added the following comments to the current public debate on the use of gene technology:

"It is important for us that the public understands that our use of gene technology is not only sound but also beneficial and contributes to sustainable development.

We are aware of the importance of addressing all questions regarding the use of gene technology in an open and effective manner. Novo Nordisk's policy is to honestly disclose which products are produced using fermentation of genetically modified organisms. We furthermore take part in the ongoing debate in relevant fora in order to secure improved labelling systems with a view to ensuring that the consumers get the information they want.

Novo Nordisk will continue to play an active role in the debate on the use of gene technology - a vital debate to secure public understanding of biotechnology. The debate furthermore extends our own understanding of how the technology is best applied as an element in sustainable development."

The Board of Directors
At a separate meeting held immediately after the annual general meeting, the board members elected Palle Marcus chairman. He succeeds Vagn Andersen who in compliance with Novo Nordisk's articles of association stepped down at the annual general meeting after 12 years' chairmanship.

The Board of Directors comprises:

Palle Marcus, director (chairman)
Gert Almind, family physician, professor, Dr Med Sc,

Tove Funder-Nielsen, specialist laboratory technician (employee representative)
Ulf J Johansson, Dr Tech
Ulla Morin, laboratory technician (employee representative)
Morten Munk, chemical engineer (employee representative)
Jaromir Ruzicka, professor
Ole Scherfig, director
Stig Strøbæk, electrician (employee representative)
Hans Werdelin, director
Mads Øvlisen, president and CEO, Novo Nordisk A/S.

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 industrial enzymes. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 15,200 people in 68 countries and markets its products in 179 countries. Its B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen, London and Zurich. 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 around the turn of the year 2000/2001. For further company information, visit Novo Nordisk on the World Wide Web at www.novo.dk

For further information please contact:

Communications & Design

Media:
Søren Møller Christensen
Phone: (direct) (+45) 4442 1207

Media in North America:
Susan Toth Jackson
Phone: (+1) 212-867-0123

Investors:
Michael Steen-Knudsen
Phone (Direct): (+45) 4442 6048

Investors:
Carsten Bøss
Phone: (direct) (+45) 4442 6047

Investors in North America:
Peter Lundby Hansen
Phone: (+1) 212-878-9607