PRINCETON, NJ--(MARKET WIRE)--Jan 31, 2005 -- Novo Nordisk today announced the recent appointments of three key medical and clinical affairs personnel in the United States. Michael Sumner, M.D., joins Novo Nordisk as senior director of clinical affairs in biopharmaceuticals; Maida Taylor, M.D., MPH as clinical director of medical affairs in women's health products, and Gabrielle Sonnenberg, M.D. as director of clinical research in diabetes.

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"These distinguished individuals are highly respected experts in their respective fields, and their addition to the Novo Nordisk team will be instrumental in developing clinical studies that reflect the needs of people in the United States," said Martin Soeters, president of Novo Nordisk Inc. "Each of these clinicians brings crucial experience in academia and clinical practice as well as international research and treatment, which will help drive our trials in the right direction."

Dr. Gabriele Sonnenberg

As director of clinical research in diabetes, Dr. Sonnenberg provides regional medical input on global clinical development, currently focusing on inhaled insulin. Dr. Sonnenberg joins Novo Nordisk from the faculty at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where she directed the Diabetes Care Center and the National General Clinical Research Center and was a professor of medicine in the division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Clinical Research. As a European-trained internist and endocrinologist, she has been involved in a number of aspects in the diabetes research world, primarily in beta-cell secretion and genetics of obesity. Originally from Germany, Dr. Sonnenberg received her Medical Doctorate from the University of Bonn Medical College.

Dr. Michael Sumner

As senior director of clinical affairs in biopharmaceuticals, Dr. Sumner is responsible for driving further development of the medical liaison function and for supporting key opinion leader programs and clinical trials in hemostasis management and human growth hormone therapy. Prior to joining Novo Nordisk, Dr. Sumner worked as senior medical director for North America sales and marketing at Aventis Behring LLC. He has more than ten years of expertise in areas such as medical affairs, clinical trial management, market development and assessment, and business leadership. Dr. Sumner holds a Master of Business Administration from Henley Management College in the United Kingdom and received his medical degree from the University of London. He is a member of the Royal College of Physicians.

Dr. Maida Taylor

As clinical director of medical affairs in women's health, Dr. Taylor designs clinical trials for women's health products and supports and oversees approval and marketing of those products. Dr. Taylor most recently served as medical advisor for Eli Lilly and Company in the department of women's health and reproductive medicine. She is an acknowledged expert in the area of menopausal medicine, its symptoms and treatments, and she is a frequent lecturer to postgraduate courses on this and other related topics. She also has a distinguished career as an educator in OB/GYN at the University of California-San Francisco. Dr. Taylor received her Doctor of Medicine from the Stanford University School of Medicine, a Master of Public Health in Health Education from the University of California-Berkeley School of Public Health, and a Bachelor of Science from Jackson College at Tufts University.

Drs. Sumner, Taylor, and Sonnenberg reside in the Princeton area.

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 hemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone therapy for women. 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 (NYSE:NVO - News). For global information, visit http://www.novonordisk.com;/ for United States information, visit http://www.novonordisk-us.com/.

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