Novo Nordisk - Definition and Overview

Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services. Founded in Denmark in 1923, the company has since become a world leader in diabetes care with the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position in areas such as haemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy.

With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk has production facilities in six countries, with affiliates or offices in 68 countries. Novo Nordisk employs 18,756 people globally (Dec 2003) and had a turnover of 26,541 million Danish kroner in 2003.

Milestones

Novo Nordisk was created in 1989 through a merger between two Danish companies – Novo Industri A/S and Nordisk Gentofte A/S.

1923 Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium (later Nordisk Gentofte) founded.

1925 Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium (later Nordisk Industri) founded.

1932 Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium founds the Steno Memorial Hospital.

1938 Novo founds Hvidøre Diabetes Sanatorium.

1941 Novo launches its first enzyme, trypsin, extracted from the pancreas of animals and used for bating leather before tanning.

1946 Nordisk develops Isophane insulin (NPH), a neutral insulin with prolonged action.

1947 Penicillin Novo is launched – Novo’s first product to be manufactured through fermentation.

1953 Lente® – a long-acting insulin-zinc suspension – is launched.

1963 Alcalase® – Novo’s first detergent enzyme produced by fermentation.

1973 Nordisk Gentofte markets Nanormon® growth hormone for the treatment of growth hormone insufficiency. The growth hormone is extracted from human pituitary glands.

1973 Monocomponent (MC) insulin is introduced – the purest insulin available.

1974 Novo’s B shares are quoted on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange.

1977 Trisequens® – sequential combined oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for peri-menopausal women – is marketed.

1981 Novo becomes the first company in Scandinavia to be quoted on the New York Stock Exchange.

1982 Human Monocomponent insulin is launched – the world’s first insulin preparation identical to human insulin. It is extracted from the pancreas of pigs and converted to human insulin.

1985 NovoPen® – an injection system similar in appearance to a fountain pen, with replaceable insulin cartridges – is launched.

1987 Novo starts production of human insulin with the help of genetically engineered yeast cells.

1988 Nordisk Gentofte markets Norditropin® genetically engineered human growth hormone.

1989 Novo Industri A/S and Nordisk Gentofte A/S merge to become the world’s leading producer of insulin.

1989 NovoLet® – the world’s first prefilled insulin syringe – is marketed.

1992 The Steno Memorial Hospital and Hvidøre Hospital merge to form the Steno Diabetes Center.

1994 Novo Nordisk is the first company in Denmark – and one of the first in the world – to publish an environmental report.

1996 NovoSeven® – for the treatment of haemophilia patients with inhibitor reaction – is launched.

1998 NovoNorm®/Prandin®, a new oral treatment for type 2 diabetes, is launched in the US and a number of European countries.

1998 Activelle® – the first low-dose continuous combined oral HRT for post-menopausal women – is introduced.

1999 Novo Nordisk publishes its first social report.

1999 Innovo®, the world’s first insulin doser with a built-in electronic memory, is launched in Europe.

1999 NovoRapid® (NovoLog® in the US) – the first rapid-acting insulin analogue – is marketed.

1999 Norditropin® SimpleXx® – the world’s first liquid growth hormone in a dedicated pen system – is launched.

2000 Novofem®, a low-dose sequential combined oral HRT, is marketed in Germany. Two years later it is launched in several other European countries.

2000 Novo Nordisk is split into three separate companies operating under the umbrella of the Novo Group: Novo Nordisk A/S, Novozymes A/S and Novo A/S.

2001 InnoLet® – the first insulin delivery system specially designed to suit the needs of insulin users with poor eyesight and reduced dexterity – is launched.

2001 InDuo® – the world’s first combined blood glucose monitor and insulin injection system – is introduced.

2001 NovoRapid® FlexPen® and Insulatard® (NPH) FlexPen® are marketed. FlexPen® is a new prefilled pen, designed to be easy and discreet to use.

2001 Novo Nordisk acquires the controlling interest in the Brazilian pharmaceutical company Biobrás.

2002 NovoMix® 30 FlexPen® and NovoMix® Penfill® are introduced. NovoMix® 30 is a dual-release insulin analogue.

External links

Company Website (http://www.novonordisk.com)