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
August 15, 2008
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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 1.0 BILLION FROM NOVO A/S AS PART
OF THE ONGOING SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAMME
Novo Nordisk A/S has today acquired 3,304,800 B shares (nominal DKK 1), worth
DKK 1.0 billion, from Novo A/S as part of the ongoing DKK 17.5 billion share
repurchase programme for 2006-2009. The transaction price is DKK 307.37 per
share and has been calculated as the average market price from 7 August to 13
August in the open trading window following the announcement of Novo Nordisk's
financial results for the first six months of 2008.
Novo A/S has hereby re-adjusted its ownership of Novo Nordisk A/S to 25.5%,
equal to the level of ownership prior to the cancellation of treasury shares,
which took place in June 2008.
The total shareholding of Novo A/S in Novo Nordisk A/S prior to the sale of B
shares was 107,487,200 A shares (nominal DKK 1) and 57,487,600 B shares (nominal
DKK 1), corresponding to 26.0% of the share capital and 70.7% of votes. The
current transaction reduces Novo A/S' ownership of Novo Nordisk A/S to 25.5% of
capital and 70.5% of votes.
Henrik Gurtler, CEO of Novo A/S, said: "Following the recent cancellation of
treasury shares Novo A/S has re-aligned its shareholding in Novo Nordisk A/S to
the level of just over 25%, which has been our target since the demerger of
Novozymes A/S in 2000. We remain a committed long-term majority shareholder of
Novo Nordisk."
As of 14 August 2008, Novo Nordisk has repurchased B shares amounting to DKK 3.0
billion in 2008. Novo Nordisk A/S and its wholly-owned affiliates now own
21,264,030 of its own B shares of DKK 1, corresponding to a total nominal value
of DKK 21,264,030 or 3.35% of the total share capital.
NOVO NORDISK is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care. 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 26,300 employees in
80 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.
Further information on NOVO NORDISK please contact:
Media: Investors:
Elin K Hansen Mads Veggerby Lausten
Tel: (+45) 4442 3450 Tel: (+45) 4443 7919
ekh@novonordisk.com mlau@novonordisk.com
Hans Rommer
Tel: (+45) 4442 4765
hrmm@novonordisk.com
In North America:
Sean Clements
Tel: (+1) 609 514 8316
secl@novonordisk.com
Further information on NOVO A/S please contact:
Media:
Henrik Gurtler, CEO
Tel: (+45) 4442 2189
Thorkil Kastberg Christensen, CFO
Tel: (+45) 4442 3197
Company Announcement no 51 / 2008
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: August 15, 2008 NOVO NORDISK A/S
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Lars Rebien Sorensen,
President and Chief Executive Officer