UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 6-K
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REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
November 28 2005
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NOVO NORDISK A/S
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
NOVO ALLE
DK-2880, BAGSVAERD
DENMARK
(Address of principal executive offices)
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F
Form 20-F [X] Form 40-F [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes [ ] No [X]
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g-32(b):82-_____________________
RESEARCH UPDATE
PROMISING CLINICAL RESULTS FROM LIRAGLUTIDE PHASE 2B STUDY
Providing glucose control and weight loss without hypoglycaemia
Novo Nordisk today announced clinical results from its phase 2b study of the
safety and efficacy of liraglutide, the once-daily, fully-human GLP-1 analogue.
The study, which was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, monotherapy
study over 14 weeks, included 165 patients with type 2 diabetes that were
previously treated with diet or oral antidiabetic agents.
An improvement of haemoglobinA1c (HbA1c) of between 1.5 and 2 percentage points
was achieved by treatment with liraglutide compared to placebo. At the highest
dose more than 45% of patients achieved a target of HbA1c equal to or below 7%
compared to less than 8% treated with placebo. An HbA1c level below 7% is
recommended by the American Diabetes Association. The average HbA1c level at the
beginning of the study was just below 8.5%.
At the highest liraglutide dose the improvement in fasting plasma glucose
achieved was above 3 mM (> 54 mg/dl). In addition, these patients reduced their
bodyweight by approximately 3 kg from a baseline of around 90 kg.
Liraglutide was well tolerated and nausea was reported at a level of 5-10%.
Gastrointestinal side effects occurred most frequently in the beginning of the
study, whereafter the frequency decreased substantially. There were no cases of
major or minor hypoglycaemia in spite of the significant improvement in
glycaemic control.
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, chief science officer and executive vice president of
Novo Nordisk, said: "The impressive clinical data for liraglutide holds great
promise for improving the treatment of type 2 diabetes; simultaneous glucose
control and weight loss in the absence of hypoglycaemic events."
Novo Nordisk expects to communicate full results from the phase 2b study at a
scientific meeting in 2006. As previously communicated, phase 3 studies with
liraglutide including approximately 3,800 patients are expected to start in
February 2006.
Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care. The
company has 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 within areas such as haemostasis
management, growth hormone therapy 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 21,600 full-time
employees in 78 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo
Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London.
Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'NVO'. For
more information, visit novonordisk.com.
For further information please contact:
Media: Investors:
Outside North America: Outside North America:
Mike Rulis Mogens Thorsager Jensen
Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 3573 Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 7945
Christian Qvist Frandsen
Tel (direct): (+45) 4443 5182
In North America: In North America:
Susan T Jackson Mads Veggerby Lausten
Tel (direct): (+1) 609 919 7776 Tel (direct): (+1) 609 919 7937
Stock Exchange Announcement no 28 / 2005
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf of the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 28 2005 NOVO NORDISK A/S
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Lars Rebien Sorensen,
President and Chief Executive Officer