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
MAY 17 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-_____________________
TRANSACTION IN OWN SHARES
NOVO NORDISK A/S PURCHASES B SHARES WORTH DKK 646 MILLION FROM NOVO A/S AS PART
OF THE ONGOING SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAMME
Novo Nordisk A/S has today acquired 2,139,118 B shares, worth DKK 646 million,
from Novo A/S as part of the ongoing DKK 5 billion share repurchase programme.
The transaction price is DKK 301.80 per share and has been calculated as the
average market price from 29 April to 13 May in the open window, following the
announcement of the financial results for the first quarter of 2005.
Novo A/S has hereby achieved its objective of reducing its ownership of Novo
Nordisk A/S to a long-term target level, which is around the level of Novo A/S'
ownership of Novo Nordisk A/S following the demerger of Novozymes in 2000.
Novo A/S' shareholding in Novo Nordisk A/S prior to the sale of B shares was
53,743,600 A shares (nominal DKK 2) and 38,842,780 B shares (nominal DKK 2),
corresponding to 26.1% of capital and 70.8% of votes. The current transaction
reduces Novo A/S' ownership of Novo Nordisk A/S to 25.5% of capital and 70.7% of
votes.
Henrik Gurtler, CEO of Novo A/S, said: "Novo A/S has now completed the
re-alignment of our shareholding in Novo Nordisk A/S, and we remain a committed
long-term controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk."
As of 17 May, Novo Nordisk has repurchased B shares amounting to around DKK
1,080 million in 2005, in addition to the DKK 2 billion worth of B shares
repurchased in 2004, as part of the ongoing share repurchase programme. Novo
Nordisk A/S and its wholly-owned affiliates now own 25,951,407 of its own B
shares of DKK 2, corresponding to a total nominal value of DKK 51,902,814 or
7.32% of the total share capital.
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 20,250 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.
NOVO A/S, the holding company in the Novo Group, was established prior to the
demerger of Novo Nordisk in 2000. Novo A/S is a private limited liability
company, fully owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Besides being the majority
shareholder in Novozymes A/S and Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo A/S provides venture
capital to development stage companies with pioneering scientific ideas within
life science, and assists the Novo Group companies in implementing and
evaluating the commitments set out in the 'Charter for Companies in the Novo
Group'. For more information, visit novo.dk.
For further information on NOVO NORDISK please contact:
Media: Investors:
Outside North America: Outside North America:
Mike Rulis Mogens Thorsager Jensen
Tel (direct): Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 7945
(+45) 4442 3573
Palle Holm Olesen
Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 6175
Mads Veggerby Lausten
Tel (direct): (+45) 4443 7919
In North America: In North America:
Susan T Jackson Any of the above contacts or
Tel (direct): tel (direct): (+1) 609 919 7937
(+1) 609 919 7776
For further information on NOVO A/S please contact:
Media:
Henrik Gurtler, CEO
Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 2189
Thorkil Kastberg Christensen, CFO
Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 3197
Stock Exchange Announcement No 16 / 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: MAY 17 2005 NOVO NORDISK A/S
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Lars Rebien Sorensen,
President and Chief Executive Officer