Status re Novo Nordisk's holding of its own shares

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

A total of 1,994,750 B shares were repurchased during 2000, hereof 335,000 during the fourth quarter.
 
A total of 17,377 treasury shares were granted to Novo Nordisk employees during 2000, all during the fourth quarter. A total of 180,000 treasury shares were sold to Novozymes A/S in the first quarter of 2000 to cover existing incentive programmes for Novozymes employees. No other treasury shares were sold during 2000.
 
The current stock repurchasing programme was announced on 3 November 1999. The average price of the 2,517,750 B shares repurchased so far under the DKK 3 billion programme is DKK 1,182 per share.
 
Please note that shares repurchased before November 2000 included the share value of the now demerged Novozymes A/S.
 
This announcement is pursuant to Section 204.33, Treasury Stock Changes, of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, and to Section 28 of the Danish Securities Trading Act.
 
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.  For further company information visit www.novonordisk.com. 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 information please contact:
 
Media:  
Elin K Hansen 
Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 3450
 
In North America:
Susan Toth Jackson
Tel: (+1) 212 867 0123
 
Investors:
Peter Haahr
Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 1207
 
Palle Holm Olesen
Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 6175
 
In North America:
Rasmus Holm-Jørgensen
Tel: (+1) 212 878 9607