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Novo Resources
Annual Report 2011

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FY2011 Annual Report · Novo Resources
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Financial, social and 
environmental performance

Key figures
2011

Financial performance
Sales total 
Diabetes care 
– of which modern insulins 
– of which Victoza® 
Biopharmaceuticals 
Gross profit 
Gross margin 
Sales and distribution costs 
Research and development costs 
Administrative expenses 
Operating profit 
Net profit 
Effective tax rate 
Capital expenditure, net 
Free cash flow 

Long-term financial targets 
Operating profit margin 
Growth in operating profit 
Operating profit after tax to net operating assets1 
Cash to earnings (three-year average) 

Social performance
Healthcare professionals trained or educated in diabetes 
Donations 
Employees (total) 
Average of full-time employees 
Employee turnover 
Relevant employees trained in business ethics 

Long-term social targets 
Least developed countries where Novo Nordisk  
sells insulin according to the differential pricing policy 
Engaging culture 
Diverse senior management teams 

Environmental performance
Energy consumption  
Water consumption 
CO2 emissions from energy consumption 

DKK million 
DKK million 
DKK million 
DKK million 
DKK million 
DKK million 
% of sales 
% of sales 
% of sales 
% of sales 
DKK million 
DKK million 
% 
DKK million 
DKK million 

% 
% 
% 
% 

1,000 
DKK million 
Number 
Number 
% 
% 

% 
Scale 1– 5 
% 

1,000 GJ 
1,000 m3 
1,000 tons 

Long-term environmental targets 
Energy consumption (change compared with 2007) 
Water consumption (change compared with 2007) 
CO2 emissions from energy consumption (change compared with 2004) 

% 
% 
% 

Share performance
Diluted earnings per share/ADR 
Dividend per share (proposed) 
Closing share price (B shares) 
Market capitalisation (B shares)2 

DKK 
DKK 
DKK 
DKK billion 

1. The long-term financial targets were updated in February 2012. Please refer to p 6.
2. Novo Nordisk B shares (excluding treasury shares).

See more performance highlights on pp 14 –15.

2011 

2010 

Change

66,346 
50,425 
28,765 
5,991 
15,921 
53,757 
81.0 
28.6 
14.5 
4.9 
22,374 
17,097 
22.0 
3,003 
18,112 

33.7 
18.4 
77.9 
112.8 

835 
81 
32,632 
31,499 
9.8 
99 

75 
4.3 
62 

2,187 
2,136 
93 

(21) 
(34) 
(56) 

29.99 
14.00 
660 
296 

60,776 
45,710 
26,601 
2,317 
15,066 
49,096 
80.8 
29.9 
15.8 
5.0 
18,891 
14,403 
21.2 
3,308 
17,013 

31.1 
26.5 
63.6 
115.6 

373 
84 
30,483 
29,423 
9.1 
98 

67 
4.3 
54 

2,234 
2,047 
95 

(20) 
(37) 
(55) 

24.60 
10.00 
629 
292 

9.2%
10.3%
8.1%
158.6%
5.7%
9.5%

18.4%
18.7%

(9.2%)
6.5%

Long-term
financial targets1
35%
15%
90%
90%

123.9%
(3.6%)
7.0%
7.1%

Long-term
social targets
100%
4.0
100% by 2014

(2.1%)
4.3%
(2.1%)

Long-term
environmental targets
11% reduction by 2011
11% reduction by 2011
10% reduction by 2014

21.9%
40.0%
4.9%
1.4%

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For nearly 90 years, Novo Nordisk has combined drug discovery 
with technology to turn science into solutions for people with 
diabetes. We also provide treatments for people with haemophilia 
and growth hormone deficiency and for women experiencing 
symptoms of menopause. We leverage our expertise with protein 
molecules, chronic disease management and device technology 
to provide innovative treatments that make a difference in quality 
of care.

Novo Nordisk has more than 32,000 employees in 75 countries 
and markets products in more than 190 countries. Our B shares 
are listed on NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen and our ADRs are listed 
on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NVO. For more 
information about our company, visit novonordisk.com. 

We leverage our expertise to make 
a difference in quality of care.

We report on our financial, social and environmental performance 
in one integrated report and we report additional information 
online. This public filing contains references and links to information 
posted on the company’s website; such information is not incor - 
porated by reference into the public filing. The management review, 
as defined by the Danish Financial Statements Act, is com prised 
of pp 2–54 and 100–101.

Material and business-critical information is reported in the annual 
report. Information for specific stakeholder groups is reported at 
annualreport2011.novonordisk.com. We value feedback and 
welcome questions or comments about this report or our perfor-
mance at annualreport@novonordisk.com.

  2 Our 2011 accomplishments 

 and results
2  Letter from the Chairman
3  Letter from the CEO
5  Performance in 2011
13  Outlook 2012
14  Performance highlights

  16 Our business
17  The Novo Nordisk Way
18  Our business
18  Our corporate strategy
20   Triple Bottom Line management
22  Risk management
26  Pipeline overview
28  Novo Nordisk at a glance

  30 Diabetes care
31  The diabetes pandemic
33  Different pathways to diabetes control
34  Changing Diabetes®

  36 Biopharmaceuticals
37  Commitment to haemophilia
38  Changing Possibilities in Haemophilia®
39  Other therapy areas

  40 Governance, remuneration 

 and leadership

41  Corporate governance
44  Remuneration report
48  Board of Directors
51  Executive Management

  52 Shares and capital structure

  55  Financial, social and 

environmental statements

56   Consolidated financial, social 
and environmental statements

100   Summary of financial data 2007–2011 in EUR
101   Quarterly financial figures 2010 and 2011
102   Financial statements of the Parent company
109   Management’s statement and Auditor’s reports

 112 Additional information

112  Index
113  Our products

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Letter from the Chairman

Sten Scheibye
Chairman of the Board of Directors 

Novo Nordisk has been a focused pharmaceutical company 
specialising in therapeutic proteins, primarily for diabetes care,  
for nearly 90 years. Our company is characterised by a deep 
disease knowledge within diabetes, a long-term focus and a 
commitment to making innovative treatments broadly available  
– also in areas outside diabetes.

According to new data announced in 2011, diabetes affects around 
366 million people globally and is responsible for the deaths of 
nearly 4.6 million adults each year. In comparison, 1.8 million people 
died from HIV/AIDS in 2009. Diabetes and other chronic diseases 
are becoming more prevalent all over the world as urbanisation 
increases and more people live longer. 

There has never been more need for a company like Novo Nordisk.

While the short-term outlook for the global economy and for many 
parts of the healthcare industry is uncertain, the Board of Directors 
is of the firm belief that Novo Nordisk must continue to invest in 
innovations in treatment and in expanding its business footprint in 
all corners of the world. As the company expands globally, we only 
do business the ‘Novo Nordisk Way’. This means we operate in ways 
that balance financial, social and environmental responsibility for 
the benefit of patients, employees, healthcare professionals, share  
holders and society at large. 

The results achieved in 2011 in terms of both sales and new product 
development are remarkably strong in light of the difficult eco no mic 
and regulatory climate. Novo Nordisk’s balance sheet and cash 
flow remain strong, and the Board has confidence in the strategic 
direction and growth prospects for the company. We have 

2     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

therefore consistently increased the dividend in recent years, raising 
dividends by 33% to 10.00 Danish kroner per share for 2010. The 
proposed dividend for 2011 is 14.00 kroner per share, a 40% increase. 
We have also continued our share repurchase programme, repur  
chasing shares worth 12 billion kroner in the 12-month period 
ending January 2012.

The coming years will be extraordinarily important for Novo Nordisk’s 
long-term development. On one hand the company has never 
had a more promising pipeline of new products than it has today. 
Extremely important launches are on the horizon. On the other 
hand, the pharmaceutical industry is under immense pressure 
globally from measures to reform healthcare and reduce spending 
on pharmaceuticals, particularly for new and innovative products. 

In light of this, the Board has concluded that Lars Rebien Sørensen, 
Novo Nordisk’s president and chief executive officer, is the right 
person to steer the company through this exciting – and chal - 
lenging – period. I am therefore pleased that Lars has accepted 
the Board’s proposal to extend his contract by three years, so that 
it now expires in 2019.

Novo Nordisk has in 2011 continued to increase sales and expand 
its business at a remarkable pace, and the Board would like to 
express its appreciation for the leadership shown by Lars Rebien 
Sørensen and his Executive Management team and the hard work 
and dedication of the entire Novo Nordisk organisation.

Sten Scheibye
Chairman of the Board of Directors

 
 
 
 
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Letter from the CEO

Lars Rebien Sørensen
President and chief executive officer

Just as we thought the global economy was recovering from the 
financial crisis in 2008, we were reminded midway through 2011 
that there is still a long way to go.

We saw slow or no economic growth and growing public debts in 
European countries and the US, with the focus swinging between 
the instability in the euro zone and the political stalemate in the US 
Congress preventing adoption of long-term financial measures to 
deal with soaring public debt.

Innovation is the only 
sustainable engine for growth.

The situation has been likened to the Great Depression in the 
1930s, with hardship felt today by millions of people who have 
lost their jobs or their savings, but the situation today is different 
nevertheless. It seems more like a crisis of confidence – confidence 
in our financial systems, in our democracies’ ability to agree on 
long-term solutions, and in ourselves and each other.

What we are witnessing is a giant transfer of wealth and jobs from 
economies in the West to emerging economies in Asia, the Middle 
East, Latin America and, to some extent, Africa. This is painful for 
those affected negatively, but we must not forget that more jobs 
are being created than lost and that the livelihood of hundreds of 
millions of people is improving, creating the foundation for more 
equal growth in the future. I am confident that many companies 
will emerge from the crisis as more innovative, having realised 

that innovation is the only sustainable engine for growth. This means 
finding better ways of providing goods and services and solving 
unmet needs in a financially, socially and environmentally respon - 
sible way.

With public spending under pressure, provision of healthcare has 
again been in focus and, consequently, the pharmaceutical industry 
has had to make significant adjustments. No market we serve has 
been untouched by this trend. In 2011, Novo Nordisk faced the 
consequences of healthcare reforms in many markets – with our 
business in the US and Europe particularly affected.

Review of 2011
Given the current climate, it is rewarding that Novo Nordisk was 
able to grow sales by 11% in local currencies in 2011. This growth 
was driven by our full portfolio of modern insulins, NovoRapid®, 
Levemir® and NovoMix®, but most significantly by the increasing 
demand for Victoza®, our treatment for type 2 diabetes, which 
became the leader in the GLP-1 category of diabetes treatments.

This sales growth, combined with continued focus on efficiency 
of our operations, resulted in operating profit growth of 18% 
reported and 22% in local currencies. This is significantly above 
results for the general pharmaceutical industry.

Equally significant were the finalisation of the clinical activities and 
filing for regulatory approval in Europe, Japan and the US of a new 
generation of insulin products. These are based on the ultra-long 
principle of Degludec, allowing for a half-life twice as long as the 
basal insulins most commonly used today. With these products it 
is our hope that we can offer both the world’s longest-acting basal 
insulin, Degludec, and a combination of this basal insulin with the 
world’s leading short-acting insulin, NovoRapid® (NovoLog®), 
DegludecPlus, which will offer people with diabetes superior 

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     3

 
 
 
 
 
Looking ahead
We have significant confidence in our people, our pipeline and 
our products. Unlike most of the pharmaceutical industry, Novo 
Nordisk will undertake a year of major investments in 2012. This 
includes investment in further market expansion of our current 
portfolio, in preparing for the launch of our new-generation 
insulins and in research and development activities for the medium 
to long term.

Our focus in 2012 will be on:

(cid:282)  The regulatory process for approval of Degludec and DegludecPlus 
in our main markets and preparations for the launch of these 
new-generation insulins.

(cid:282)  Execution and monitoring of the phase 3 clinical programme for 

liraglutide in obesity.

(cid:282)  Clinical development of fixed combinations of Degludec and 
Victoza®, which may offer a new option for intensification of 
the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

(cid:282)  Clinical development of vatreptacog alfa, for improved treatment 

of haemophilia with inhibitors.

(cid:282)  Expansion of our international organisation, particularly in fast- 
growing regions in the areas of sales and marketing, production 
and research and development.

(cid:282)  Co-organising the European Diabetes Leadership Forum under 
the auspices of the Danish EU presidency to reach consensus 
about what it will take to address the current challenges and 
change diabetes.

With significant investment and continued focus on development, 
we expect continued growth for Novo Nordisk in 2012 and beyond.

I would like to thank the entire Novo Nordisk organisation for their 
contributions to our success this year, our stakeholders and partners 
for their collaboration, and our shareholders for their confidence 
and continued support.

Lars Rebien Sørensen
President and chief executive officer

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glucose control, reducing the risk of hypoglycaemia (too low 
blood sugar) and providing greater dosing flexibility. Degludec is 
also designed to provide people with diabetes the flexibility to 
administer their insulin at any time of day, at different times from 
day to day.

We also saw innovation across a broad range of our therapeutic 
areas, with progress in the development of a new clotting factor, 
vatreptacog alfa, intended to improve treatment for haemophilia 
patients with inhibitors. We also made progress in the development 
of molecules to support the expansion of our presence into 
haemophilia A and B, as well as in a strong portfolio of inflammation 
development projects.

In 2011, all UN member 
states pledged to develop 
diabetes strategies and set 
targets for improvement.

The year was also a success for the millions of people with diabetes 
and other chronic conditions. I was encouraged by the outcome 
of the United Nations High-Level Meeting on non-communicable 
diseases in New York in September. Novo Nordisk played a part in 
the adoption of a UN declaration on diabetes in 2006, and last year 
we again played a role as all UN member states pledged to develop 
diabetes strategies and set targets for improvement in screening, 
treatment and outcomes. This was a moment for celebration for 
people with diabetes throughout the world. We believe the pledge 
by UN member states can be translated into concrete action to 
increase awareness of the threat diabetes poses.

Our new vision statement and updated guiding principles and 
values, The Novo Nordisk Way, clearly states that “we never 
compromise on quality and business ethics”. With this we want to 
send a clear signal, internally as well as externally, regarding what 
our stakeholders can expect from each of us at Novo Nordisk. To 
support this commitment to integrity and high standards, in 2011 
we further strengthened our efforts to ensure adherence to our 
global policies and procedures.

Not all went according to plan, however, in 2011. 

Healthcare reforms in Europe, combined with the anaemic 
expec tations of the future pharmaceutical market, forced us to 
re-allocate resources from our European organisation to fast-growing 
markets in the US and Asia. This led to the unfortunate redundancy  
of approximately 300 positions. We value our people and we did not 
take this decision lightly. Securing cost-efficiency, however, is the only 
guarantee for the long-term success of our company.

In Asia, a major earthquake off the coast of Japan caused a giant 
tsunami which killed thousands and caused severe property damage 
as well as contributing to a nuclear meltdown close to our factory 
in Koriyama.

We were proud to see our Japanese colleagues standing firm while 
confronted with great personal hardship, ensuring our ability to 
deliver life-saving medicines to the people of Japan while protec ting 
the assets of our company.

4     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
Performance 
in 2011

Despite continued global economic turmoil, 2011 was a positive year 
for Novo Nordisk with strong sales growth, good performance 
against long-term financial, social and environmental targets 
and very significant progress in the clinical development pipeline. 

Sales increased by 9% in Danish kroner and by 11% measured in 
local currencies during 2011 compared to 2010. Sales growth was 
realised in both diabetes care and biopharmaceuticals. Victoza® 
and modern insulins were the main contributors to growth, with 
Victoza® sales increasing by 159% (166% in local currencies) and 
sales of modern insulins increasing 8% (11% in local currencies). 
Sales growth was realised in all regions. Sales in North America 
increased by 13% and in International Operations by 12%, both 
in Danish kroner, and by 18% and 17% respectively in local 
currencies. Sales growth in 2011 was reduced by approximately 
2 percentage points due to healthcare reforms in the US, several 
European markets, Turkey and China.

2011 was a positive year for Novo 
Nordisk with strong sales growth.

Novo Nordisk achieved a significant milestone in 2011, as applications 
for marketing authorisation of two new-generation insulins, 
Degludec1 and DegludecPlus2, were filed in major markets. We 
made significant progress in the development of solutions for the 
range of haemophilia and other rare bleeding disorders, including 
initiation of a phase 3 trial programme for a fast-acting treatment 
of haemophilia with inhibitors. A phase 1 trial was also initiated for 
a long-acting growth hormone formulation. 

In addition, we exceeded long-term targets for resource optima-
tisation, both in terms of reduced energy and water consumption 
for production and CO2 emissions from energy consumption for 
production. We also continued to exceed our long-term target for 
employee engagement. Notable progress was made in reaching 
targets for insulin sales in least developed countries and increasing 
diversity in our senior management teams.

Financial performance
2011 performance against 
long-term financial targets
By focusing on growth, profitability, operating assets and generation 
of cash, our four long-term financial targets guide Novo Nordisk’s 
financial development. Our historic long-term financial targets are 
operating profit growth, operating margin, operating profit after tax 
to net operating assets and cash conversion. The realised per for-
mance for three of the four ratios exceeded the target level while 
the operating margin performance was progressing towards the 
target. See p 6 for an update on the long-term financial targets.

Diabetes care sales development
Sales of diabetes care products increased by 13% measured in 
local currencies and by 10% in Danish kroner to DKK 50,425 
million in 2011 compared to 2010. Novo Nordisk is the world 
leader in diabetes care and now holds a global value market share 
of 24% compared to 23% at the same point in time last year.

Modern insulins, human insulins 
and protein-related products
In 2011, sales of modern insulins, human insulins and protein-
related products increased by 5% measured in local currencies 
and by 3% in Danish kroner to DKK 41,859 million compared to 
2010, driven by North America, International Operations and 
Region China. Global insulin sales growth was negatively impacted 
by healthcare reforms in the US, Europe, Turkey and China as well 
as by a decline in human insulin sales in Europe, the US and Japan.

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Growth in
operating profit

  Target
  Realised
  Realised excl pulmonary
  diabetes projects

Operating margin

  Target
  Realised
  Realised excl pulmonary
  diabetes projects

Operating profit
after tax to net
operating assets
(Previously: Return
on invested capital)

  Target
  Realised

Cash to earnings 
Three-year average

  Target
  Realised

%

50

40

30

20

10

0

%

40

35

30

25

20

%

100

80

60

40

20

0

%

150

120

90

60

30

0

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

1. Internal designation for insulin degludec.
2. Internal designation for insulin degludec/insulin aspart.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     5

 
 
 
 
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Sales of modern insulins increased by 11% in local currencies and 
by 8% in Danish kroner to DKK 28,765 million compared to 2010, 
reflecting steady sales growth. North America, International 
Operations and Europe were the main contributors to the growth. 
Sales of modern insulins constitute more than 72% of Novo Nordisk’s 
sales of insulin.

North America
Sales of modern insulins, human insulins and protein-related 
products in North America increased by 9% in local currencies 
and by 4% measured in Danish kroner in 2011. This reflects 
continued solid sales performance especially of NovoRapid® and 
Levemir® offset by a decline in human insulin sales and a negative 
impact of approximately 5 percentage points from the US health-
care reform enacted in March 2010. Currently, around 46% of 
Novo Nordisk’s modern insulin volume in the US is being sold in 
the prefilled device FlexPen® compared to around 43% in the 
same period last year. 

Europe
Sales in Europe decreased by 1% in local currencies and by 1% 
measured in Danish kroner in 2011. This reflects continued sales 
growth for modern insulins offset by a decline in human insulin 
sales. The growth of the insulin volume in Europe is currently low, 
below 3%, and Novo Nordisk’s full year insulin sales are negatively 
impacted by market share losses, especially in the UK, and by 
healthcare reforms implemented during 2010 and 2011 in a number 
of European markets. Currently, around 96% of Novo Nordisk’s 
insulin volume in Europe is being sold for use in devices.

International Operations
Sales in International Operations increased by 10% in local currencies 
and by 6% in Danish kroner in 2011. The growth is primarily driven 
by modern insulins with all three insulin analogues growing solidly, 
complemented by modest sales growth of human insulin. 

Currently, around 58% of Novo Nordisk’s insulin volume in 
International Operations’ non-tender markets is being sold for  
use in devices.

Region China
Sales in Region China increased by 10% in local currencies and by 
10% in Danish kroner in 2011. The main contributor to growth was 
sales of modern insulin with the entire portfolio growing strongly, 
while sales of human insulin in 2011 were at the same level as sales 
in 2010, primarily as a result of implementation of a healthcare 
reform in China during 2011. Currently, around 96% of Novo 
Nordisk’s insulin volume in China is being sold for use in devices.

Japan & Korea
Sales in Japan & Korea decreased by 4% in local currencies and 
in  creased by 1% in Danish kroner in 2011. The sales development 
reflects sales growth for modern insulins being offset by a decline 
in human insulin sales. Furthermore, continuous low market growth, 
below 3%, is impacting overall growth. The device penetration in 
Japan remains high with approximately 98% of Novo Nordisk’s 
insulin volume being used in devices, primarily FlexPen®.

Victoza® (GLP-1 therapy for type 2 diabetes)
Victoza® sales reached DKK 5,991 million during 2011, reflecting 
solid sales performance in all regions. The global roll-out is 
continuing with nearly 50 countries having launched. Victoza® 
achieved global market share leadership with 58% value market 
share in the GLP-1 segment in November 2011 compared to 30% 
in November 2010. Furthermore, the GLP-1 class’s value share of 
the total diabetes care market increased to 4.5% in November 
2011 compared to 3.2% in November 2010.

Long-term financial 
target update

Novo Nordisk operates with four long-term financial targets to 
balance short- and long-term considerations, thereby ensuring 
a focus on shareholder value creation. The target ‘Return on 
Invested Capital’ (ROIC) has been changed to ‘Operating profit 
after tax to net operating assets’ to more accurately describe 
the financial elements included in the ratio. Further, the target 
level has been increased to 90% from 70%. The previous 
target level assumed that proposed accounting rules regarding 
treatment of operating leases, the draft International Financial

Reporting Standard ‘Leases’ (ED/2010/09), would be 
implemented in the near future. However, the implementation 
has now been postponed and the actual content is currently 
unclear and as such, this assumption no longer applies.

The target levels are based on the assumption of a continuation 
of the current business environment and the current scope of 
business activities and have been prepared assuming that 
currency exchange rates remain at the levels outlined in Outlook 
2012 on p 13. Should any of these assumptions change, the time 
horizon for achieving the long-term targets may be extended or 
it may be necessary to revise the targets.

Performance against long-term financial targets 

Result 2011 

Previous targets 

Updated targets

Operating profit growth 

Operating margin 

Operating profit after tax to net operating assets (previously ROIC) 

Cash to earnings  

Cash to earnings (three-years average) 

18% 

34% 

78% 

106%

113% 

15% 

35% 

70% 

90% 

15%

35%

90%

90%

6     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
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North America
Sales of Victoza® in North America increased by 167% in local 
currencies and by 155% measured in Danish kroner in 2011 
compared to 2010. This reflects continuous GLP-1 market expansion 
driven by Victoza®, and the value market leadership position Victoza® 
achieved during 2011.

Japan & Korea
Sales in Japan & Korea increased, from a relatively low base in 2010, 
by 348% in local currencies and by 370% measured in Danish 
kroner in 2011. The sales performance in 2011 is encouraging and 
reflects the expiry of the 14 days prescription limitation mid-2011 
and a significant commercial focus on Victoza® throughout the year.

Victoza® reached global market 
share leadership in the GLP-1 
segment in 2011.

NovoNorm®/Prandin®/PrandiMet® 
(oral antidiabetic products)
In 2011, sales of oral antidiabetic products declined by 3% measured 
in local currencies and by 6% in Danish kroner to DKK 2,575 million 
compared to 2010. The sales development primarily reflects lower 
sales in Europe due to generic competition in several European 
markets.

Europe
Sales in Europe increased by 114% in local currencies and by 115% 
measured in Danish kroner in 2011. This reflects continued roll-out 
across Europe and in particular solid sales growth in France, the 
UK and Italy.

International Operations
Sales in International Operations increased by 781% in local 
currencies and by 776% measured in Danish kroner in 2011. This 
reflects a low comparison base from 2010 but also very solid sales 
performance especially in Brazil and the countries of the Middle East.

Region China
Victoza® was launched in China during the fourth quarter of 2011 and 
although initial market feedback is positive, actual sales are limited.

Biopharmaceuticals 
sales development
In 2011, sales of biopharmaceutical products increased by 8% 
measured in local currencies and by 6% measured in Danish kroner 
to DKK 15,921 million compared to 2010 primarily driven by North 
America and International Operations. 

NovoSeven® (bleeding disorders therapy)
Sales of NovoSeven® increased by 7% in local currencies and by 4% 
in Danish kroner to DKK 8,347 million compared to 2010. All regions 
contributed to the sales growth of NovoSeven®; International 
Operations was the primary contributor to growth followed by 
Europe and North America.

DKK billion

Sales by
geographic region

■ North America
■ Europe
■ International Operations
■ Japan & Korea
■ Region China

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

66.3

60.8

51.1

45.6

41.8

0

10 20 30 40 50 60 70

DKK billion

Insulin volume
market share 
Geographic region

  North America
  Europe

International Operations
Japan & Korea
  Region China

66.3

60.8

Modern insulins 
Global value market share
of modern insulin segment

51.1

45.6

41.8

  NovoRapid®
  NovoMix®
  Levemir®

0

10 20 30 40 50 60 70

%

100

80

60

40

20

0

%

100

80

60

40

20

0

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

0

2

4

6

Research and
development costs

■  Diabetes care

(excl pulmonary
  diabetes projects)
■  Biopharmaceuticals

DKK billion

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

9.6

9.6

10

7.9

7.5

7.2

8

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     7

Sales by therapy area

■ Diabetes care
■ Haemostasis management

(NovoSeven®)

■ Growth hormone therapy
■ Hormone replacement

therapy

■ Other products

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

Sales growth 
Local and reported rates

In DKK as reported
In local currencies

%

25

20

15

10

5

0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Norditropin® (growth hormone therapy)
Sales of Norditropin® increased by 5% measured in local currencies 
and by 5% measured in Danish kroner to DKK 5,047 million 
compared to 2010. The sales growth was driven by International 
Operations, North America and Japan & Korea, partly offset by a 
decline in Europe. Novo Nordisk is the second-largest company in 
the global growth hormone market with a 24% share measured 
in volume.

Other products 
Sales of other products within biopharmaceuticals, which primarily 
consist of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)-related products, 
increased by 15% measured in local currencies and by 13% in Danish 
kroner to DKK 2,527 million compared to 2010. This development 
primarily reflects continued sales progress for the low dose Vagifem® 
that was launched in North America and Europe in 2010. Sales 
growth was furthermore supported by GlucaGen® sales in the US 
and Japan, and partly off-set by a decline in Activelle® sales following 
patent expiry in Europe.

Development in costs 
and operating profit
The cost of goods sold grew by 8% to DKK 12,589 million in 2011. 
Reported gross margin increased by 0.2 percentage point to 81.0% 
compared to 80.8% in 2010. Measured in local currencies the gross 
margin increased by 0.4 percentage point in 2011 reflecting a 
positive product mix impact due to the upgrade from human insulins 
to modern insulins. 

In 2011, total non-production-related costs increased by 5% in local 
currencies and by 3% in Danish kroner to DKK 31,877 million 
compared to 2010.

Research and development costs of DKK 9,628 million remained 
at an absolute level similar to 2010. Whereas the cost level in 2010 
reflects execution of the phase 3a programmes for both Degludec 
and DegludecPlus, the cost level in 2011 reflects the initiation of 
pivotal trial activities within diabetes care, obesity and haemophilia.

Operating profit in 2011 increased 
by 18% to DKK 22,374 million.

Licence fees and other operating income constituted DKK 494 
million in 2011 compared to DKK 657 million in 2010. This decline 
is primarily due to a non-recurring income from a patent settlement 
during the first quarter of 2010.

Operating profit in 2011 increased by 18% to DKK 22,374 million 
compared to 2010. In local currencies the growth was 22%.

Net financials and tax
Net financials showed a net expense of DKK 449 million in 2011 
compared to a net expense of DKK 605 million in 2010. As of 31 
December 2011, foreign exchange hedging losses of around DKK 
1,200 million have been deferred for recognition in the income 
statement in 2012.

For 2011, the foreign exchange result was an expense of DKK 322 
million compared to an expense of DKK 1,341 million in 2010. The 
foreign exchange loss in 2011 reflects losses on foreign exchange 
hedging contracts primarily related to the Japanese yen due to the 
appreciation versus the Danish krone in 2011 compared to the 
exchange rate level prevailing in 2010 and in the last quarter of 2009.

Sales and distribution costs increased by 4% to DKK 19,004 million 
primarily as a result of increased sales promotion in the US and 
China, sales force expansion in the US in the fourth quarter of 2010 
and costs related to the ‘Manufacturer’s fee’ part of US health-
care reform.

Also included in net financials is the result from associated 
companies with an expense of DKK 4 million. In 2010, the result 
from associated companies was an income of DKK 1,070 million 
as Novo Nordisk recorded a non-recurring income of approximately 
DKK 1.1 billion from the sale of shares in ZymoGenetics, Inc.

Gross margin

  Development

in gross margin

%

85

80

75

70

65

US dollar and
Japanese yen
Cover and exchange 
rate at year-end

■  Cover USD (left)
■  Cover JPY (left)
  Rate USD (right)
  Rate DKK per 100 JPY (right)

The effective tax rate for 2011 was 22%.

Capital expenditure 
and free cash flow
Net capital expenditure for property, plant and equipment for 2011 
was DKK 3.0 billion compared to DKK 3.3 billion in 2010. The main 
investment projects in 2011 were the insulin filling plant in Tianjin, 
China, filling capacity for biopharmaceuticals and new device manu- 
facturing capacity in Denmark and the US.

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Month

20

16

12

8

4

0

Rate

Free cash flow for 2011 was DKK 18.1 billion compared to DKK 
17.0 billion in 2010.

8

7

6

5

4

Equity
Total equity was DKK 37,448 million at the end of 2011, equivalent 
to 57.9% of total assets, compared to 60.2% at the end of 2010. 
Please refer to p 59 for further elaboration of changes in equity 
during 2011.

2007   2008   2009   2010  2011 

8     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
Treasury shares and 2011 
share repurchase programme
During 2011, Novo Nordisk repurchased 18,261,205 shares at an 
average price of DKK 598.92 per share, equivalent to a cash value 
of DKK 10.9 billion. During January 2012 Novo Nordisk repurchased 
1,567,117 shares at an average price per share of DKK 678.25, 
equivalent to a cash value of DKK 1.1 billion. Novo Nordisk thereby 
concluded the 12-month share repurchase programme initiated on 
2 February 2011.

Employee share programmes in 2011
Under a share savings programme, approximately 8,000 employees 
in Denmark have purchased a total of 250,000 shares. The shares 
were purchased at a price of DKK 638.21 – the market price on 7 
December 2011. The company does not incur any costs related to 
this programme. 

Holding of treasury shares 
and reduction of share capital
As of 1 February 2012, Novo Nordisk A/S and its wholly-owned 
affiliates owned 26,007,303 of its own B shares, corresponding 
to 4.5% of the total share capital.

In order to maintain capital structure flexibility, the Board of Directors 
will, at the Annual General Meeting in 2012, propose a reduction 
in the B share capital from DKK 472,512,800 to DKK 452,512,800 
by cancelling 20,000,000 B shares of DKK 1 from the company’s 
own holdings of B shares at a nominal value of DKK 20,000,000, 
equivalent to 3.4% of the total share capital. After implemen-
tation of the share capital reduction, the company’s share capital 
will amount to DKK 560,000,000 divided into an A share capital 
of DKK 107,487,200 and a B share capital of DKK 452,512,800.

Proposed dividend and 2012 
share repurchase programme
At the Annual General Meeting on 21 March 2012, the Board of 
Directors will propose a 40% increase in dividend to DKK 14.00 
per share of DKK 1, corresponding to a payout ratio of 45.3%. 
For 2010, the payout ratio was 39.6%. No dividend will be paid 
on the company’s holding of treasury shares.

The Board of Directors has approved a new DKK 12 billion share 
repurchase programme to be executed during the coming 12 
months. Novo Nordisk will initiate its share repurchase programme 
in accordance with the provisions of the European Commission's 
Regulation no 2273/2003 of 22 December 2003 (the Safe Harbour 
Regulation). For that purpose, Novo Nordisk has appointed J.P. 
Morgan Securities Ltd. as lead manager to execute a part of its 
share repurchase programme independently and without influence 
from Novo Nordisk. The purpose of the programme is to reduce 
the company's share capital. Under the agreement, J.P. Morgan 
Securities Ltd. will repurchase shares on behalf of Novo Nordisk 
for an amount of up to DKK 2.5 billion during the trading period 
starting 2 February 2012 and ending on 25 April 2012. A maximum 
of 128,433 shares can be bought during one single trading day, 
equal to 20% of the average daily trading volume of Novo Nordisk 
B shares on NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen during the month of 
January 2012, and a maximum of 7,320,681 shares in total can 
be bought during the trading period. At least once every seven 
trading days, Novo Nordisk will issue an announcement in respect 
of the transactions made under the repurchase programme.

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Social performance

We actively manage three dimensions of social performance: 
improving care for people whose healthcare needs we serve; 
developing our employees and ensuring a healthy and safe work 
environment; and making a positive contribution to the communities 
in which we operate.

2011 performance against 
long-term social targets
Adoption of our long-established differential pricing policy, a 
measure of our progress to expand access to diabetes care, continued 
during 2011. During the year, we met targets related to employee 
engagement and made progress towards the target of diversity in 
all senior management teams.

Patients
Access to care
As the leader in diabetes care, our global reach allows us to help 
more people with diabetes. We estimate that 24 million people 
were treated with Novo Nordisk’s injectable diabetes care products 
during 2011. More than 40% of people treated are in countries 
served through Novo Nordisk’s International Operations region. 
See map on pp 28–29.

Novo Nordisk’s long-term efforts to expand access to care and 
treatment include the establishment of the World Diabetes 
Foundation (WDF) in 2002. In 2011, the company donated DKK 65 
million to the foundation, which supports sustainable initiatives to 

Insulin sales in least
developed countries
% of countries reached
through differential
pricing policy

  Target
  Realised

Engaging culture
Employee engagement
(scale1–5)

  Target
  Realised

Diverse senior
management teams*

  Target
  Realised

* Target established in 2008.

%

100

75

50

25

0

5

4

3

2

1

%

100

75

50

25

0

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     9

 
 
 
 
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build healthcare capacity to prevent and treat diabetes in developing 
countries. The company’s regular contribution was DKK 51 million, 
equivalent to 0.125% of net insulin sales for the year, in accordance 
with obligations previously agreed to by the company’s share-
holders. During 2011, the company made a special contribution of 
DKK 14 million to WDF for activities relating to the UN High-Level 
Meeting on non-communicable diseases, including diabetes. Novo 
Nordisk also supports the Novo Nordisk Haemophilia Foundation 
(NNHF), established in 2005. In 2011, we donated DKK 16 million to 
NNHF. For more information on the foundations, see pp 34 and 39.

Clinical trials
The number of people participating in Novo Nordisk’s clinical trials 
increased by 16% in 2011 compared with 2010. A total of 22,445 
people participated in Novo Nordisk’s clinical trials in 2011, 
compared with 19,361 in 2010.

Pricing
Our goal is for our differential pricing policy to be accepted in all 
least developed countries. We sold human insulin at or below the 
policy price, not to exceed 20% of the average prices in the western 
world, in 75%, or 36 of 48, of the least developed countries 
during 2011.

Capacity building
To achieve sustainable improvements in access to care and personal 
health, we seek to improve the ability to diagnose and treat diabetes. 
Over the years, our investments in training and education of 
healthcare professionals have been significantly scaled up. During 
2011, approximately 835,000 healthcare professionals worldwide 
attended training programmes conducted or sponsored by Novo 
Nordisk. We also reached approximately 626,000 people with 
diabetes, providing training on how to manage their condition.

In addition to enrolling about 3,400 children with type 1 diabetes 
in our Changing Diabetes® in Children programme during 2011, 
taking the total to nearly 5,000, we trained about 1,000 healthcare 
providers and established more than 40 clinics. The programme 
supports diagnosis and treatment of diabetes in children in 
developing countries.

Employees
Our global growth continued as projected, with new employees 
primarily added in International Operations, North America and 
Region China. At the end of 2011, the total number of full-time 
employees was 31,499, an increase of 7% compared to 2010. At 
the end of 2011, Novo Nordisk employed 32,632 people. In the 
same period, employee turnover increased to 9.8% from 9.1%.

1,000 full-time positions

31.5

29.4

28.0

26.1

24.3

0

5

10 15 20 25 30 35

Full-time employees
(average) by
geographic region

■ North America
■ Europe
■ International Operations
■ Japan & Korea
■ Region China

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

10     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

Engagement
The ability to manage global growth and stimulate productivity and 
innovation is tracked through a set of engagement scores from 
our annual employee survey, eVoice. In 2011, the consolidated 
engagement score (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score) 
was 4.3, which was consistent with 2010. Annual scores have met 
our target of 4.0 or above consistently since 2006.

Diversity, a prerequisite for global 
growth, increased in senior 
management teams in 2011.

Diversity
We believe that fostering workplace diversity is a prerequisite for 
achieving global growth. Our ambition is that by 2014 all senior 
management teams will include employees of both genders and 
different nationalities. While pursuing this objective we insist that 
all positions are filled by the best candidate. Though we have 
chosen two dimensions of diversity to track at the senior level, our 
focus is broader, ensuring equal opportunities, non-discrimination 
and an inclusive working culture.

At the end of 2011, diversity in terms of gender and nationality was 
reflected in 62% of the 29 senior management teams, compared 
with 54% of 28 at the end of 2010.

Health and safety
The frequency of occupational injuries decreased to 3.4 per million 
working hours in 2011, compared with 4.9 per million working 
hours in the previous year.

Regrettably, a Novo Nordisk sales representative in Bangladesh 
died in a car accident while on Novo Nordisk business in 2011. 
With thousands of employees on the roads around the world, we 
introduced a new global company car guideline in 2011 that 
includes the stipulation that company cars must have above-
average safety ratings using regional benchmarks.

Assurance
Quality
As sales and production output have increased, quality levels, 
measured in terms of inspection findings, have been maintained. 
In 2011, 76 inspections of Novo Nordisk’s production facilities were 
concluded with no significant re-inspections or warning letters.

In 2011, Novo Nordisk had five instances of products recalled from 
the market, in line with 2010. Three recalls were implemented in 
single countries due to product storage issues in the distribution 
chain. Two recalls, involving several countries, were the result of 
product defects relating to production. None of the products 
recalled caused any harm to patients. In all cases, we cooperated 
with local health authorities to ensure appropriate information was 
provided to pharmacies, medical practitioners and patients.

Values
In 2011, we rolled out an updated version of our values-based 
management system, the Novo Nordisk Way, with significant focus 
on ensuring that the values are actively lived across the organisation.

 
 
 
 
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The Novo Nordisk Way outlines expectations for employee 
behaviour, and adherence to the corporate values is audited as 
part of our ongoing internal assurance process. Values audits, 
called facilitations, are conducted by our global facilitator team, 
consisting of senior people with deep understanding of our 
business and the business environment.

From 1 October 2010 to 30 September 2011, 59 facilitations were 
conducted at unit level, covering more than 13,000 employees. 
Nearly 2,000 employees were interviewed to determine how 
corporate values are being complied with throughout the orga ni-
sation. The primary finding during the facilitation year was that 
the rollout and training related to the new, updated Novo Nordisk 
Way was effectively implemented.

Business ethics
As we grow, onboarding more than 5,000 new employees annually, 
ongoing training helps ensure that all new employees understand 
their responsibilities and the company’s values-based management 
system. Training programmes are developed to address emerging 
trends, such as changes in the regulatory environment. Annual 
business ethics training is required for all relevant employees. In total, 
99% completed the required training in 2011 compared with 98% 
in 2010.

Business ethics audits are conducted using a risk-based approach, 
with on-site interviews and documentation reviews to assess 
compliance with Novo Nordisk’s business ethics procedures. During 
2011, 43 business ethics audits were conducted, an increase from 
35 in 2010.

Our employees have an obligation to report any instances of 
suspected misconduct. This obligation can be met by reporting to 
a manager or company legal counsel. Novo Nordisk also provides 
the option to report suspected business ethics misconduct 
anonymously through a compliance hotline monitored by the 
Audit Committee.

During 2011, 66 cases were reported through the compliance 
hotline, compared with 53 in 2010. Cases reported concerned 
potential instances of business ethics issues, fraud, violations of 
the Novo Nordisk Way, quality concerns and other issues. With 
the introduction of the new Novo Nordisk Way, the most significant 
area of increase was in failures to comply with the company values. 
Disciplinary actions were taken in all substantiated cases. None of 
these cases had any material impact for Novo Nordisk.

Supplier audits
To ensure product quality and manage potential risks in our supply 
chain, we conduct both quality and responsible sourcing audits. In 
2011, a total of 177 audits were conducted, compared with 192 in 
2010. These audits found no significant critical non-conformities.

Environmental 
performance
2011 performance against 
long-term environmental targets
Performance on environmental dimensions improved and we 
successfully exceeded long-term targets for reduction of energy 
consumption, water consumption and CO2 emissions. 

Water and energy consumption for production decreased in 2011 by 
34% and 21% respectively compared with the 2007 baseline, 
exceeding the long-term targets of 11% reductions in both areas by 
2011 compared with 2007. Consumption decreases were mainly due 
to optimisations in insulin bulk production of diabetes care products.

With CO2 emissions from energy consumption in 2011 down 56% 
compared with the 2004 baseline, the company remains on track 
to achieve its long-term target of an absolute reduction by 2014.

Inputs
Energy consumed for production decreased in 2011 by 2.1%, to 
2.2 million GJ. Water consumption, however, increased from 2.0 
million cubic metres in 2010 to 2.1 million cubic metres in 2011, 
an increase of 4.3%.

Energy
consumption

  Target
  Realised

Water
consumption

  Target
  Realised

1,000 GJ

4,000

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

1,000 m3
4,000

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

CO2 emissions from
energy consumption

  Target
  Realised

1,000 tons

300

240

180

120

60

0

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     11

 
 
 
 
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Outputs
The total volume of waste increased 62% to 41,376 tons in 2011 
from 25,627 tons in 2010. The increase was primarily due to the 
fact that yeast slurry, previously reused as pig feed, is now disposed 
of at biogas plants and therefore treated as recycled waste. For this 
reason, 70% of waste was recycled in 2011 compared with 51% 
in 2010.

Energy consumption and CO2 
emissions decreased in 2011.

While sales and production increased in 2011, CO2 emissions related 
to production fell by 2% compared with 2010 levels. This was due 
to increased energy efficiency in all production facilities globally. 

Environmental target update
With the achievement in 2011 of the company’s long-
term targets for energy and water consumption, we have 
framed a new environmental strategy towards 2020 and 
set interim targets for 2014. Focusing on resource pro - 
ductivity, the new target levels are to keep the annual 
rate of increase below the projected rate of growth in 
production.

We believe that the new targets for 2012–2014 are 
ambitious. We have achieved a 34% reduction in water 
consumption for production since 2007. Because a 
substantial portion of the water used by Novo Nordisk  
is for fermentation and purification of insulin, finding 
opportunities to further reduce water consumption is 
challenging. While we have reduced energy consumption 
for production by 21% since 2007, we have more options 
regarding energy usage. The target for constraining 
growth in energy consumption is therefore lower than 
the target for constraining growth in water consumption.

Performance against  
environmental targets 

Result 
2011 

Annual targets
2012–2014

Energy consumption 
(change compared to prior year)

Water consumption 
(change compared to prior year)

(2.1)% 

< 3.3%

4.3% 

< 5.4%

The target levels are based on the assumption of a 
continuation of the current business environment 
and given the current scope of business activities.

12     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
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Outlook 2012

The current expectations for 2012 are summarised in the table below:

Novo Nordisk has hedged expected net cash flows in a number of 
invoicing currencies and, all other things being equal, movements 
in key invoicing currencies will impact Novo Nordisk’s operating 
profit as outlined in the table below:

Expectations are as reported, 
if not otherwise stated 

Current expectations 
2 February 2012

Sales growth 
(cid:282) in local currencies 
(cid:282) as reported 

Operating profit growth 
(cid:282) in local currencies 
(cid:282) as reported 

Net financials 

Effective tax rate 

Capital expenditure 

7–11% 
Around 4 percentage points higher

Around 10% 
Around 7 percentage points higher

Expense of around DKK 1,000 million

Key 
invoicing 
currency 

Annual impact on Novo Nordisk’s 
operating profit of a 5%  
movement in currency 

Hedging 
period 
(months)

USD 
JPY 
CNY 
GBP 
1. USD used as proxy when hedging Novo Nordisk’s CNY currency exposure.

DKK 775 million 
DKK 170 million 
DKK 100 million 
DKK 75 million 

11
12
121
11

22–23%

Around DKK 3.5 billion

The financial impact from foreign exchange hedging is included 
in note 28 pp 80–82.

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses 

Around DKK 2.9 billion

Free cash flow 

Around DKK 18 billion

Novo Nordisk expects sales growth in 2012 of 7–11% measured in 
local currencies. This is based on expectations of continued market 
penetration for Novo Nordisk’s key products, as well as expectations 
of continued intense competition, generic competition to oral 
antidiabetic products, and a continued impact from the implemen-
tation of healthcare reforms primarily in the US and Europe. Given 
the current level of exchange rates versus Danish kroner, the 
reported sales growth is expected to be around 4 percentage points 
higher than growth measured in local currencies.

For 2012, growth in operating profit is expected to be around 10% 
measured in local currencies. The outlook for growth in operating 
profit reflects significant expenditure related to the expected launch 
of the ultra-long-acting insulin Degludec. Given the current level 
of exchange rates versus Danish kroner, the reported operating 
profit growth is expected to be 7 percentage points higher than 
growth measured in local currencies. 

For 2012, Novo Nordisk expects a net financial expense of around 
DKK 1,000 million. The current expectation primarily reflects a net 
loss on the foreign exchange contracts hedging Novo Nordisk’s 
exposure in US dollar, Japanese yen and Chinese yuan. The 
accounting effect of foreign exchange hedging contracts has, in 
line with Novo Nordisk’s accounting policies, been deferred for 
loss recognition in 2012 when the hedged operating cash flows 
will be realised.

The effective tax rate for 2012 is expected to be  22–23%. 

Capital expenditure is expected to be around DKK 3.5 billion in 
2012, primarily related to investments in filling capacity for bio- 
pharma ceuticals in Denmark, filling capacity for insulin in Russia, 
and new prefilled device production capacity in Denmark and the 
US. Expec tations for depreciation, amortisation and impairment 
losses are around DKK 2.9 billion and free cash flow is expected 
to be around DKK 18 billion. 

All of the above expectations are based on the assumption that 
the global economic environment will not significantly change 
business conditions for Novo Nordisk in 2012 and that currency 
exchange rates, especially the US dollar, will remain at the current 
level versus the Danish krone during the remaining part of 2012.

Forward-looking statements
Novo Nordisk’s reports filed with or furnished to the US Securities and Exchange Commission 
(SEC), including this document and Form 20-F, both expected to be filed with the SEC in February 
2012, and written information released, or oral statements made, to the public in the future by 
or on behalf of Novo Nordisk, may contain forward-looking statements. Words such as ‘believe’, 
‘expect’, ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘plan’, ‘strategy’, ‘prospect’, ‘foresee’, ‘estimate’, ‘project’, ‘anticipate’, ‘can’, 
‘intend’, ‘target’ and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion 
of future operating or financial performance identify forward-looking statements. Examples of 
such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

(cid:282)  statements of targets, plans, objectives or goals for future operations, including those related 
to Novo Nordisk’s products, product research, product development, product introductions and 
product approvals as well as cooperation in relation thereto 

(cid:282)  statements containing projections of or targets for revenues, costs, income (or loss), earnings 
per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure, net financials and other financial 
measures

(cid:282)  statements regarding future economic performance, future actions and outcome of contingencies 

such as legal proceedings, and

(cid:282)  statements regarding the assumptions underlying or relating to such statements.

In this document, examples of forward-looking statements can be found under the headings 
‘Performance in 2011, ‘Outlook 2012’ and elsewhere. 

These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections. By their very nature, 
forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific. 
Novo Nordisk cautions that a number of important factors, including those described in this 
document, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any 
forward-looking statements.

Factors that may affect future results include, but are not limited to, global as well as local political 
and economic conditions, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations, delay 
or failure of projects related to research and/or development, unplanned loss of patents, 
inter ruptions of supplies and production, product recall, unexpected contract breaches or 
terminations, government-mandated or market-driven price decreases for Novo Nordisk’s 
products, introduction of competing products, reliance on information technology, Novo 
Nordisk’s ability to successfully market current and new products, exposure to product liability 
and legal proceedings and investigations, changes in governmental laws and related interpretation 
thereof, including on reimbursement, intellectual property protection and regulatory controls 
on testing, approval, manufacturing and marketing, perceived or actual failure to adhere to 
ethical marketing practices, investments in and divestitures of domestic and foreign companies, 
unexpected growth in costs and expenses, failure to recruit and retain the right employees and 
failure to maintain a culture of compliance.

Please also refer to the overview of risk factors in ‘Risk Management’ on pp 22–24. 

Unless required by law, Novo Nordisk is under no duty and undertakes no obligation to update or 
revise any forward-looking statement after the distribution of this document, whether as a result 
of new information, future events or otherwise.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     13

 
 
 
 
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Performance highlights

DKK million 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2010 –2011

Financial performance 
Sales
    Modern insulins (insulin analogues) 
    Human insulins  
    Victoza® 
    Protein-related products 
    Oral antidiabetic products (OAD) 

14,008 
12,572 
– 
1,749 
2,149 

17,317 
11,804 
– 
1,844 
2,391 

21,471 
11,315 
87 
1,977 
2,652 

26,601 
11,827 
2,317 
2,214 
2,751 

28,765 
10,785 
5,991 
2,309 
2,575 

    Diabetes care total 

30,478 

33,356 

37,502 

45,710 

50,425 

    NovoSeven®  
    Norditropin® 
    Hormone replacement therapy 
    Other products 

5,865  
3,511  
1,668  
309  

6,396 
3,865 
1,612 
324 

7,072 
4,401 
1,744 
359 

8,030 
4,803 
1,892 
341 

8,347 
5,047 
2,054 
473 

    Biopharmaceuticals total 

11,353  

12,197 

13,576 

15,066 

15,921 

Total sales by business segment 

41,831 

45,553 

51,078 

60,776 

66,346 

    North America 
    Europe 
    International Operations1 
    Japan & Korea 
    Region China1 

13,746  
16,350  
5,870  
3,843  
2,022 

15,154 
17,219 
6,353 
4,196 
2,631 

18,279 
17,540 
6,835 
4,888 
3,536 

23,609 
18,664 
8,335 
5,660 
4,508 

26,586 
19,168 
9,367 
6,223 
5,002 

Total sales by geographical segment 

41,831 

45,553 

51,078 

60,776 

66,346 

Underlying sales growth in local currencies 
Currency effect (local currency impact) 

Total sales growth as reported 

13% 
(5%) 

8% 

12% 
(3%) 

9% 

Other financial performance
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses 
Operating profit 
Net financials 
Profit before income taxes 
Net profit for the year 

Total assets 
Equity 

Capital expenditure, net 
Free cash flow2 

Financial ratios
Percentage of sales
    Sales outside Denmark  
    Sales and distribution costs 
    Research and development costs  
    Administrative expenses 

Gross margin2 
Net profit margin2 
Effective tax rate2 
Equity ratio2 
Return on equity (ROE)2 
Cash to earnings2 
Payout ratio2 
Payout ratio excl non-recurring events3 

3,007 
8,942 
2,029 
10,971 
8,522 

47,731 
32,182 

2,268 
9,012 

99.2% 
29.6% 
20.4% 
6.0% 

76.6% 
20.4% 
22.3% 
67.4% 
27.4% 
105.7% 
32.8% 
34.9% 

2,442 
12,373 
322 
12,695 
9,645 

50,603 
32,979 

1,754 
11,015 

99.2% 
28.2% 
17.2% 
5.8% 

77.8% 
21.2% 
24.0% 
65.2% 
29.6% 
114.2% 
37.8% 
36.6% 

11% 
1% 

12% 

2,551 
14,933 
(945) 
13,988 
10,768 

54,742 
35,734 

2,631 
12,332 

99.2% 
30.2% 
15.4% 
5.4% 

79.6% 
21.1% 
23.0% 
65.3% 
31.3% 
114.5% 
40.9% 
40.9% 

13% 
6% 

19% 

2,467 
18,891 
(605) 
18,286 
14,403 

61,402 
36,965 

3,308 
17,013 

99.4% 
29.9% 
15.8% 
5.0% 

80.8% 
23.7% 
21.2% 
60.2% 
39.6% 
118.1% 
39.6% 
42.8% 

11% 
(2%) 

9% 

2,737 
22,374 
(449) 
21,925 
17,097 

64,698 
37,448 

3,003 
18,112 

99.3% 
28.6% 
14.5% 
4.9% 

81.0% 
25.8% 
22.0% 
57.9% 
46.0% 
105.9% 
45.3% 
45.3% 

Change

8.1%
(8.8%)
158.6%
4.3%
(6.4%)

10.3%

3.9%
5.1%
8.6%
38.7%

5.7%

9.2%

12.6%
2.7%
12.4%
9.9%
11.0%

9.2%

10.9%
18.4%
(25.8%)
19.9%
18.7%

5.4%
1.3%

(9.2%)
6.5%

Ratios for long-term financial targets 
Operating profit margin2 
Operating profit growth 
Operating profit after tax to net operating assets 
Cash to earnings, (three-year average) 

21.4% 
(1.9%) 
27.2% 
87.0% 

27.2% 
38.4% 
37.4% 
97.6% 

29.2% 
20.7% 
47.3% 
111.5% 

31.1% 
26.5% 
63.6% 
115.6% 

33.7% 
18.4% 
77.9% 
112.8% 

Long-term
 financial targets4
35%
15%
90%
90%

14     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2010 –2011

Social performance 
Patients:
People with diabetes using Novo Nordisk 
injectable products (million) (estimate) 
Healthcare professionals trained or educated 
in diabetes (1,000)  
People with diabetes trained (1,000) 
Donations (DKK million) 
New patent families (first filings) 

Employees:
Employees (total) 
Average of full-time employees 
Employee turnover 

Assurance:
Relevant employees trained in business ethics 
Fulfilment of action points from facilitations 
of the Novo Nordisk Way 
Product recalls 
Warning Letters and re-inspections 
Company reputation with external 
key stakeholders (scale 1–7) 

Long-term social targets 
Least developed countries where Novo Nordisk sells 
insulin according to the differential pricing policy  
Engaging culture (employee engagement) (scale 1– 5)  
Diverse senior management teams  

Environmental performance 
Inputs:
Energy consumption (1,000 GJ) 
Water consumption (1,000 m3) 

N/A 

N/A 
N/A 
76 
116 

N/A 

N/A 
N/A 
78 
71 

N/A 

425 
416 
83 
55 

N/A 

373 
494 
84 
62 

24 

835 
626 
81 
80 

26,008 
24,344 
11.6% 

27,068 
26,069 
12.1% 

29,329 
27,985 
8.3% 

30,483 
29,423 
9.1% 

32,632 
31,499 
9.8% 

N/A 

91% 
3 
0 

N/A 

72% 
4.1 
N/A 

N/A 

92% 
2 
0 

N/A 

64% 
4.2 
43% 

N/A 

93% 
2 
0 

N/A 

73% 
4.3 
50% 

98% 

93% 
5 
0 

N/A 

67% 
4.3 
54% 

99% 

93% 
5 
0 

5.6 

75% 
4.3 
62% 

2,784 
3,231 

2,533 
2,684 

2,246 
2,149 

2,234 
2,047 

2,187 
2,136 

Outputs:
CO2 emissions from energy consumption (1,000 tons) 
Wastewater (1,000 m3)  
Total waste (tons) 

236 
2,764 
23,345 

215 
2,542 
24,314 

146 
2,062 
26,362 

95 
1,935 
25,627 

93 
2,036 
41,376 

Long-term environmental targets 
Energy consumption  
(change compared with 2007) 
Water consumption  
(change compared with 2007) 
CO2 emissions from energy consumption  
(change compared with 2004) 

Share performance
Basic earnings per share/ADR in DKK2 
Diluted earnings per share/ADR in DKK2 
Dividend per share in DKK 
Total dividend 

N/A 

N/A 

(9%) 

(19%) 

(20%) 

(21%) 

(17%) 

(34%) 

(37%) 

(34%) 

12% 

2% 

(31%) 

(55%) 

(56%) 

13.49 
13.39 
4.50 
2,795 

15.66 
15.54 
6.00 
3,650 

17.97 
17.82 
7.50 
4,400 

24.81 
24.60 
10.00 
5,700 

30.24 
29.99 
14.00 
7,742 

1.  As of 1 January 2011, Region China is reported as a separate geographical region. Before 2011, Region China was part of International Operations.  

The historical figures for 2007–2010 have been restated and are comparable with the 2011 regional set-up.

2. For definitions, please refer to p 65.
3. Impact of Zymogenetics, Inc. share divestment, discontinuation of all pulmonary diabetes projects and impact of DAKO A/S share divestment.
4. The long-term financial targets were updated in February 2012. Please refer to p 6.

Change

123.9%
26.7%
(3.6%)
29.0%

7.0%
7.1%

–
–

Long-term 
social targets

100%
4.0
100% by 2014

Change

(2.1%)
4.3%

(2.1%)
5.2%
61.5%

Long-term 
environmental targets
11% reduction
by 2011
11% reduction
by 2011
10% reduction
by 2014

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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JENNY PETTERSSON
The Young Leaders in Diabetes programme involves young people like Jenny from Stockholm, Sweden, working with and for young 
people with diabetes to improve awareness and address the particular challenges involved in being young with diabetes. Representing her 
country’s diabetes association, Jenny took part in the Young Leaders in Diabetes Programme in Dubai during the World Diabetes Congress 
held by the International Diabetes Federation in December 2011. Novo Nordisk is proud to be among the founding partners of this programme.

16     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
The Novo 
Nordisk Way

Novo Nordisk is its people. As the company grows and globalises, 
it is important that we continue to build on a strong foundation 
of shared values. The Novo Nordisk Way, our values-based manage-
ment system, was updated in 2011. In a concise and compelling 
form it makes clear to employees what the company’s ambitions 
are, how we will achieve them, and what we value as an 
organisation. To support it, we have framed 10 essentials that 
describe how our values are put into action in the way we work 
and collaborate and the way we interact with other people. 

During 2011, employees around the world explored the essence of 
the Novo Nordisk Way and what it means to them. Nearly every one, 
97% of employees, participated in training activities. The updated 
and simplified format has been welcomed, in particular the emphasis 
on patients at the front and centre of everything we do and the clear 
language on respect for everyone. The values are also consistent 

with the universal principles for responsible business conduct 
expressed by the UN Global Compact, to which Novo Nordisk has 
been a signatory since 2002.

The Novo Nordisk Way expresses 
our deeply rooted values.

A follow-up methodology involving values audits, or facilitations, 
helps us assess and manage the degree to which the Novo Nordisk 
Way is actively put into practice throughout our company. To 
support this process, we have a global facilitator team of senior 
people with deep understanding of our business and business 
environment. The head of the team has a formal reporting line to 
the chairman of the Board.

For some units, these audits take place annually; for others, the 
process takes place once every three to five years. Observations 
from this process are reported to the Board of Directors each 
year. See more about facilitations on pp 11 and 43.

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The Novo Nordisk Way
In 1923, our Danish founders began a journey to change 
diabetes. Today, we number thousands of employees across 
the world with the passion, the skills and the commitment to 
continue this journey to prevent, treat and ultimately cure 
diabetes.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:83)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:17)

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serious chronic conditions where we can make a difference.

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biological medicines and make them accessible to patients 
throughout the world.

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results is what allows us to help patients live better lives, 
offer an attractive return to our shareholders and 
contribute to our communities.

The Essentials
The Essentials are 10 statements describing what the Novo 
Nordisk Way looks like in practice. 

The Essentials are meant as a help for managers and 
employees in evaluating the extent to which their 
organisational units are acting in accordance with the Novo 
Nordisk Way, ie the degree to which we are ‘walking the talk’. 
The Essentials are helpful in identifying actions which 
business units can take to further align processes and 
procedures with the thinking and values that characterise the 
Novo Nordisk Way.

  1.  We create value by having a patient-centred business 

approach.

  2.  We set ambitious goals and strive for excellence.

  3.  We are accountable for our financial, environmental and 

social performance.

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  4.  We provide innovation to the benefit of our stakeholders.

and environmental considerations – we call it the Triple 
Bottom Line.

  5.  We build and maintain good relations with our key 

stakeholders.

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treat everyone with respect.

  6.  We treat everyone with respect.

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potential.

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Every day we must make difficult choices, always keeping in 
mind what is best for patients, our employees and our 
shareholders in the long run.

It’s the Novo Nordisk Way.

  7.  We focus on personal performance and development.

  8.  We have a healthy and engaging working environment.

  9.  We optimise the way we work and strive for simplicity.

10.  We never compromise on quality and business ethics.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     17

 
 
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Our business

Novo Nordisk is a focused healthcare company specialising in 
thera peutic proteins, providing life-saving treatments for people 
with diabetes and rare bleeding disorders. We also offer treatment 
for growth hormone deficiency, as well as low-dose hormone 
replace ment therapy products. Finally, we carry out research and 
development projects targeting treatment of obesity and inflam-
mation.

Offering treatment for unmet medical needs and improving care 
for people with chronic disease is what drives our ambition and 
determines our strategic focus. We seek to leverage our core 
strengths in protein engineering and chronic disease treatment in 
areas where we see potential for global market leadership.

We aim to grow our business in ways that are both responsible 
and sustainable, managing in accordance with the Novo Nordisk 
Way and the Triple Bottom Line principle.

Our corporate strategy

Novo Nordisk’s business is focused on those therapy areas that 
leverage our distinct capabilities and strengths: developing and 
delivering superior protein analogues and the large-scale manu-
facturing and global commercial infrastructure necessary to make 
these analogues widely available.

Our protein analogues are supported by innovative devices that make 
treatment more convenient, which is linked to improved rates of 
treatment compliance and health outcomes. Striving to continuously 
improve chronic disease therapy, we have designed these devices 
to improve dose accuracy, convenience and general user-friendliness. 

The same technologies are used across our entire product line.

Our high-quality, cost-effective global manufacturing infrastructure 
helps Novo Nordisk make innovative treatments accessible to people 
around the world. Our manufacturing infrastructure is supported 
by a lean, flexible supply chain.

Although Novo Nordisk focuses on relatively few therapy areas, we 
sell our products in more than 190 countries with market leadership 
in both developed and emerging markets. Our launches of Victoza® 
in multiple markets demonstrated our global reach. This ability is 
due to our competence in and collaboration between our regulatory 
affairs and sales and marketing organisations, as well as our relation-
ships globally with healthcare specialists.

Expand leadership in diabetes care
For those millions of people who live with diabetes, our goal is to 
offer treatment options that are safe and convenient so that they 
can live their lives to the fullest. Novo Nordisk is uniquely positioned 
to address the issues at the core of the diabetes pandemic. We are 
the only company with a full portfolio of human and modern insulins 
on the market, and our new-generation insulins, Degludec and 
DegludecPlus, were submitted for regulatory approval in 2011. 
See p 33. We are also developing even faster-acting bolus insulin 
to be taken at mealtimes, which is currently in phase 1 clinical trials.

The primary intention of our research efforts in diabetes is to 
address the unmet medical need to safely and effectively lower 
blood glucose while reducing the risk of hypoglycaemia. As well 
as developing new-generation insulins, longer term we hope to 
radically change insulin delivery by offering tablets in addition to 
injectable treatments. The development of oral formulations for 
both insulin and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues is still 
at an early stage and many technological challenges remain. Our 
current work involves searching for the most suitable compounds 

Novo Nordisk’s corporate strategy
Therapy area

Compounds and capabilities

Strategic focus

Diabetes

Insulin and GLP-1

Expand leadership

Obesity

GLP-1

Haemophilia

Coagulation factors

Growth disorders

Human growth hormone

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Establish presence

Achieve leadership

Achieve leadership

Inflammation

Monoclonal antibodies

Establish presence

The Novo Nordisk Way

18     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and the best method of oral delivery, one that will ensure that the 
active ingredients are not destroyed or degraded in the gastro-
intestinal tract before being absorbed.

We also seek to expand our leadership within GLP-1 treatment. With 
the successful launch of Victoza® (liraglutide), our once-daily GLP-1 
analogue, we have the leading GLP-1 treatment for the early stages 
of type 2 diabetes in adults.

We introduced NovoSeven® for the treatment of haemophilia 
patients with inhibitors 15 years ago and it remains the leading 
recombinant bypassing agent available for the 3,500 people with 
haemophilia who have developed inhibitors to conventional 
treat ments. To further improve treatment of bleeding episodes 
for people with inhibitors, we have a fast-acting recombinant 
factor VIIa analogue, vatreptacog alfa, with improved efficacy in 
phase 3 clinical development.

Our goal is to offer treatments 
that are as safe and 
convenient as possible.

We are now building a GLP-1 portfolio with the intention to provide 
an even broader range of treatment options, including longer-acting 
versions to improve convenience. Our late-stage GLP-1 pipeline 
includes two new treatments, a fixed combination of Victoza® with 
Degludec, which may offer the benefits of both compounds in a 
convenient solution, and a novel once-weekly GLP-1 analogue, 
semaglutide.

While there is not yet a cure for type 1 diabetes, we are conducting 
research in cooperation with leading academic centres to tackle 
the roots of the condition. At our Hagedorn Research Institute, we 
are making progress towards preventing and ultimately curing 
diabetes through projects involving stem cell biology and beta cell 
regeneration. For information on our efforts to find a cure, see 
annualreport2011.novonordisk.com.

Establish presence 
in obesity treatment
Obesity is known to be a major risk factor in developing type 2 
diabetes, cardiovascular disease and a range of other life-threatening 
diseases. Despite the growing prevalence of severe and morbid 
obesity globally, there are currently only a few treatment options.

In studies of people with diabetes and people with obesity who do 
not have diabetes, liraglutide has shown the potential to reduce food 
intake with the result of controlling weight. We are therefore 
exploring the option of using liraglutide as a new way of treating 
high-risk patients, those with obesity-related medical conditions 
such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

Gaining regulatory approval for antiobesity medications remains 
a major challenge. Compounds developed by other pharmaceutical 
companies to target obesity have experienced significant challenges 
in obtaining regulatory approval due to concerns about side effects 
outweighing potential benefits. However, given the results seen so 
far in randomised controlled trials, we believe liraglutide can offer 
benefits for people with severe obesity and co-morbidities.

Achieve leadership in haemophilia
Our ambition is to achieve leadership in haemophilia by improving 
the efficacy of prevention and treatment of bleeding episodes with 
improved treatment options for all patients. With a significant 
number of compounds in clinical development, we are set to build 
a strong portfolio of recombinant products, covering all the main 
segments of the haemophilia market.

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We are leveraging our core protein capabilities and our under-
standing of haemophilia to develop factor VIII and factor IX 
com pounds for the treatment of haemophilia A and B respectively. 
The primary focus of these development projects is to treat and 
prevent bleeding episodes and consequently reduce damage to 
joints. In 2011, these projects were either recruiting patients in phase 
3 trials or approved to initiate phase 3 trials.

Novo Nordisk filed for regulatory approval of a recombinant factor 
XIII treatment in the US and Europe during 2011. This treatment, if 
approved, will be the only recombinant treatment option for the 
600 people worldwide diagnosed with congenital factor XIII 
deficiency.

Achieve leadership 
in growth disorders
Novo Nordisk’s strategy in growth hormone therapy is to achieve 
leadership by providing innovative and convenient products and 
devices as well as a full range of service offerings for physicians and 
patients in markets where services can be delivered. Norditropin® 
is the only liquid, room temperature-stable growth hormone 
product available in a prefilled pen device, the ergonomic 
Norditropin® FlexPro® with an easy-touch dosing mechanism.

We are also developing a long-acting growth hormone formulation, 
currently in phase 1 trials.

Establish presence in inflammation
Our expertise in design of therapeutic proteins and chronic disease 
care can be leveraged to address the significant unmet medical 
needs in diseases caused by chronic autoimmune inflammation. 
Initial clinical tests of first-in-class, protein-based therapuetic agents 
that reduce the overactive immune response indicate the potential 
to offer significant benefit to patients, but these projects are still 
at an early stage of clinical development.

There are a significant number of people with autoimmune inflam- 
matory diseases who do not adequately respond to current 
treatments. In order to successfully build a presence in treatment 
of inflammation, we are investing in early-stage research with the 
hope of finding the underlying mediators of inflammatory 
conditions and developing new treatments, particularly for 
patients who are unresponsive to current treatments.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     19

 
 
Triple Bottom Line 
management

we aspire. The targets also help management establish a balance 
between growing our business profitably in the near term and 
ensuring the company is able to make investments in longer-term 
growth, including investments in clinical development of 
improved therapies.

We aim to grow our business in ways that are both profitable and 
responsible. Recognising that long-term business success relies on 
a healthy economy, environment and society, we manage our 
business in a way that addresses multiple dimensions of perfor- 
mance: financial, social and environmental. We apply the Triple 
Bottom Line principle as a lens for decision making. This approach 
supports long-term success by creating shared value for society 
and our investors. 

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Our Triple Bottom Line business principle is anchored in our company 
bylaws, the Articles of Association, and the Novo Nordisk Way. 
We drive our social and environmental performance with the 
same diligence and focus as our financial performance. All business 
units are responsible for monitoring and reporting on their perfor- 
mance in all three dimensions, based on long-term goals and targets 
cascaded through the balanced scorecard process. Managers and 
employees are also encouraged to take initiatives that extend 
beyond compliance measures. 

Helping people live better lives 
is at the core of our business.

Our corporate priorities reflect initiatives in support of business 
objectives as well as broader sustainability goals. Our main con-
tributions include expanding access to healthcare and promotion 
of healthy lifestyles, offering an inclusive, healthy and engaging 
working environment, driving carbon reduction and climate 
advocacy, pursuing resource efficiency, combating corruption 
and ensuring consistent responsible business practices and good 
governance.

In 2011, we strengthened internal governance and oversight  
of our corporate sustainability efforts and made progress  
in embedding the Triple Bottom Line more firmly across the 
organisation. The Sustainability Committee, with representation 
from all parts of the business, has overall responsibility for setting 
direction for strategic and proactive management of the sus-
tainability agenda. This includes implementation of initiatives  
in support of the company’s long-term sustainable growth and  
in accordance with the UN Global Compact and other voluntary 
commitments. For more about the internal Novo Nordisk boards 
and committee structure for managing multiple dimensions of 
performance, see annualreport2011.novonordisk.com.

The financial, social and environmental priorities that determine 
the indicators we use to manage performance are listed on pp 
14–15.

Deliver competitive financial results
Growing our business and delivering competitive financial results is 
what allows us to help patients live better lives, offer an attractive 
return to our shareholders and contribute to our communities.

Our targets for operating profit margin, operating profit growth 
and the ratio of operating profit after tax to net operating assets 
provide a guide to the level of growth and profitability to which 

20     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

The growth target for operating profit has been viewed as the 
cornerstone financial target since we began using financial 
targets in 1996. It allows for deviations in individual years if 
necessitated by business opportunities, market conditions or 
exchange rate movements. The continued improvement in 
efficiencies at our manufacturing facilities around the world 
and, longer term, in the productivity of our global sales force 
supports improvements in our operating margin, as does 
improvement in the ratio of administrative costs to sales. Our 
cash to earnings helps ensure that we are able to pay an 
attractive dividend.

Offer a healthy and engaging 
working environment
We believe that having a healthy and engaging working 
environment helps attract, motivate and retain employees and 
that this is critical to sustaining our company’s growth and 
positive contributions to society. Employees around the world 
advocate healthy lifestyles, improved prevention, detection and 
treatment of diabetes, and patient support activities through 
their work as well as through voluntary initiatives. On World 
Diabetes Day in November 2011, for instance, more than 7,500 
employees in more than 50 countries engaged over 1 million 
people in activities to raise awareness about the diabetes 
pandemic. 

We have a long-term target to maintain a high level of employee 
engagement, which is assessed through the annual company-
wide survey, eVoice. Survey questions also assess adherence to 
company values, employees’ perceptions of the quality of manage-
ment, their working environment and well-being. This information 
is used by local and corporate management to address any issues 
discovered through employees’ feedback. 

As our business becomes increasingly global, it becomes even 
more important to embrace diversity and embody a global 
mindset. We believe that diverse management teams are best 
suited to drive performance, foster innovative thinking and 
nurture collaboration between people with different perspec-
tives. We aim to increase diversity because we believe doing so 
offers a competitive advantage.

Our leadership development programmes emphasise personal 
leadership and respect for the integrity of each individual. 
Training for managers includes decision-making that balances 
short- and long-term considerations and considers multiple 
dimensions of performance.

Helping people live better lives
Helping people live better lives is at the core of our business. We 
act on the premise that everyone has a right to health. Access to 
care is not only an issue in developing countries. As we seek to 
reach out to more people, we have now begun to report 
estimates of the number of people treated using Novo Nordisk 
diabetes care products.

 
 
 
A decade ago we began addressing the issues of inadequate 
access to health, introducing a preferential pricing policy in all of 
the least developed countries, launching dedicated programmes 
for underprivileged populations, including women and children, 
and advocating the need for Changing Diabetes® and Changing 
Possibilities in Haemophilia®. 

While we have made progress, we also realise that a different 
approach is needed to increase the scale of our impact, particularly 
as global health becomes a higher priority on the political agenda. In 
2011, we announced a new approach to access to health, informed 
by candid stakeholder dialogues and high-level engagements with 
policymakers. See novonordisk.com/sustainability.

We have also reaffirmed that low-priced insulin will remain in the 
company’s portfolio in low-income countries. Much more can be 
done, yet success hinges on the ability of governments, industry 
and civil society acting together to deliver sustainable, effective 
responses. In 2011, Novo Nordisk worked on several fronts to 
forge partnerships that have the potential to be transformational 
over time. 

Promoting responsible 
business practices
We never compromise on quality and business ethics. In a business 
environment in which compliance requirements constantly increase, 
Novo Nordisk has further geared up to manage developments. 
This is the result of significant efforts invested in expanding the 
business ethics compliance programme with global policies and 
procedures, governance structure, training, audits and 
investigations.

All relevant Novo Nordisk employees are required to be trained 
annually in business ethics guidelines and we train third parties 
who act on our behalf to align understanding of compliance 
requirements and Novo Nordisk’s ethical standards. We have also 
now improved tracking and disclosure of financial interactions 
with healthcare providers. 

We drive progress through systematic management and oversight. 
While seeking to exploit opportunities to act in ways that are 
both responsible and profitable, we also vigilantly manage risks 
to our business by monitoring trends and continuously adapting 
our business practices. Our enterprise risk management system 
considers both financial and non-financial risks, along with 
plans or processes to manage these risks.

From this platform, focused on mitigating risks, we are reinforcing 
a strong ethical mindset in every aspect of the way we do business. 
Expectations for working with integrity are embedded in job 
descriptions, management systems and internal audit processes.

Adherence to voluntary guidelines and participation in 
stakeholder dialogues helps us anticipate and prepare for new 
requirements. Prior to the adoption of the United Nations 
Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Novo Nordisk 
has been actively engaged in shaping the agenda for businesses’ 
responsibility to respect human rights, and in 2011 we commis-
sioned an analysis to assess which additional steps will be 
necessary to take in order to live up to the guidelines.

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Decoupling environmental 
impacts from business growth
While growing our business and increasing sales, we seek to 
reduce the consumption of natural resources and manufactured 
inputs, such as packaging, generated by our business activities 
and supply chain. In addition to reducing negative impacts, our 
approach focuses on contributing to solving global challenges 
such as climate change.

Over the past decade, we have demonstrated the ability to 
decouple resource consumption and emissions from sales 
growth. In 2011, we expanded our environmental management 
from a focus on resource productivity optimisation related to 
production to include sustainability aspirations across the entire 
value chain for our customer footprint and our contribution to 
communities.

Contributing to sustainable growth
Case studies of our business approach in different markets 
quantify benefits to patients, cost savings in healthcare systems 
and productivity gains resulting in sustainable societal value.
Through our Blueprint for Change programme we document 
shared value creation and assess the potential for enhanced 
value. Our most recent study is from the US and shows how 
concerted efforts to improve prevention and early detection of 
type 2 diabetes can improve quality of life and reduce healthcare 
costs. Doing so has given us a competitive edge in terms of strong 
relations with stakeholders, a highly engaged workforce in the US 
and recognition as a great place to work. See novonordisk.com/
sustainability.

Our Triple Bottom Line approach

Financially and economically responsible

Patients

Socially 
responsible

Environmentally 
responsible

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     21

 
 
Risk 
management

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We believe that our dynamic approach to risk management ensures 
that key risks are proactively identified, assessed and managed. For 
shorter-term risks, we have an ongoing assessment process that 
takes into account the likelihood of an event, its potential impact on 
the business and the need for mitigating action.

Maintaining and monitoring a systematic, integrated process to 
continually assess business risks is the responsibility of Executive 
Management. The Risk Management Board, which has repre-
sentatives of senior management from all parts of the business 
and is chaired by the chief financial officer, sets the strategic 
direction for the risk management process and challenges the 
overall risk profile for Novo Nordisk.

Novo Nordisk’s risk policy
Our policy for risk management is to proactively manage 
risk to ensure continued growth of our business and to 
protect our people, assets and reputation. This means 
that we will:

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:88)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:73)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:78)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)

system while maintaining business flexibility

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:73)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:78)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:82)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:3)

business

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:78)(cid:86)(cid:17)

Our risk willingness
Our risk willingness is characterised by the following:

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:58)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:3)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:90)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)

treatment of serious diseases such as diabetes and 
haemophilia. We accept the high level of risk involved 
in bringing such products to market to meet the needs 
of patients in terms of both safety and efficacy.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:58)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:78)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:73)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:78)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)

lowest level possible in both clinical trials and already 
marketed products. The well-being of patients is 
paramount.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:58)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:78)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:89)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)

of financial risks.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:58)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:78)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)
business continuity planning, regular inspections and 
back-up facilities.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:58)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:84)(cid:88)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:86)(cid:17)

For more about our risk management process, see 
annualreport2011.novonordisk.com.

22     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

Most important risks

Below are the risks we assess as having the greatest potential 
impact on our business. The risks are not ranked, but are categorised 
and described, including 2011 developments in each risk area.

In the process of setting our strategy, we also identify risks that 
are potential barriers to the achievement of our long-term 
ambitions. For these risks, see pp 18–21.

Market risks 
Price pressures
Healthcare costs are rising and, in many countries, are outstripping 
the pace of economic growth. There is increasing economic, political 
and regulatory pressure to contain these costs, including spending 
on pharmaceutical products. The continued global economic crisis 
has further exacerbated this trend. Examples of how Novo Nordisk’s 
key markets are affected include:

(cid:282)  US: Healthcare reform legislation was enacted in 2010. 

Continued federal budget issues could lead to further pricing 
reforms for products purchased through the Medicare and 
Medicaid programmes.

(cid:282)  Europe: As the region’s debt crisis builds, a number of European 
governments have announced or implemented several rounds 
of healthcare reforms, intensifying an already challenging 
operating environment with significant pricing pressures.

(cid:282)  China: Price reductions for pharmaceutical products were 

introduced in September 2011 as part of healthcare reforms. 
Provincial-level tenders have been introduced in some parts of 
the country.

Documenting treatment benefits is one way to ensure that 
innovation is properly valued. Novo Nordisk conducts a 
considerable number of clinical and health-economic studies to 
substantiate the benefits of our products for patients and society, 
particularly for improved diabetes treatment.

Biosimilar competition
The market for therapeutic proteins is becoming more accessible 
to biosimilar producers. Regulatory processes in Europe and the 
US may change to facilitate potential approval of biosimilar 
products without full clinical development once patents expire. 
Increasing pressure on governments to contain healthcare costs 
makes this scenario more likely.

To address this risk, Novo Nordisk is continuously developing in- 
novative medicines to address unmet medical needs. One example 
is our new generation of insulins, Degludec and DegludecPlus. In 
2011, more than half of Novo Nordisk’s diabetes care sales were 
for modern insulins under patent protection. Novo Nordisk anti- 
cipates that the expiration of certain patents could impact sales 
within the next five years, but the potential launch of new products 
should offset the impact of currently protected products going 
off patent.

Earlier generations of insulin products have been off patent for 
years so this is a risk with which Novo Nordisk is familiar and has 
considerable experience addressing. Biosimilar human insulin 
products have been present on the European market for several 
decades but have had only a marginal impact. In countries such 

 
 
as India and China, where Novo Nordisk has long had biosimilar 
competition, Novo Nordisk has maintained an insulin volume 
market share of more than 60%.

Research and development risks
Bringing new products to market
Continued growth in our business depends on Novo Nordisk’s 
ability to develop and offer better treatments to patients. At each 
stage of the development process, which includes extensive non- 
clinical tests and clinical trials as well as an elaborate regulatory 
approval process, we may encounter serious obstacles which may 
delay our product initiatives and add substantial expense, or which 
could cause us to abandon a project altogether. Significant delays 
in bringing new products such as Degludec and DegludecPlus to 
market would impact our ability to reach long-term financial 
targets.

In our experience, there is a less than 35% chance of a diabetes 
product candidate in phase 1 in the pipeline ultimately being 
approved for marketing, while the chance of success is around 
40% for phase 2 product candidates and rises to around 70% for 
phase 3, although there remains significant uncertainty regarding 
the timing and success of the regulatory approval process. As the 
Novo Nordisk pipeline becomes more diversified, these figures are 
likely to decline towards industry standards over a longer period. 
The reasons for delays or failure include, for instance, failure of 
the product candidate in non-clinical studies because of safety 
concerns; problems in completing formulation and other testing 
and work necessary to support a regulatory approval process; 
adverse reactions to the product candidate or indications of other 
safety concerns; failure of clinical trial data to support the safety 
or efficacy of the product candidate; inability to manufacture, in  
a timely and cost-efficient manner, sufficient quantities of the 
product candidate for development or commercialisation activities; 
and failure to obtain, or delays in obtaining, the required regulatory 
approvals for the product candidate or the facilities in which it is 
manufactured.

As a result of the risks and uncertainties involved in progressing 
through non-clinical development and clinical trials, and the time 
and cost involved in obtaining regulatory approvals, we cannot 
reasonably estimate the nature, timing, completion dates and costs 
of the efforts necessary to complete the development.

Production and quality risks
Supply disruptions
Failure or breakdown in any of the company’s vital production 
facilities could adversely affect the results of operations and could 
potentially cause employee injuries or infrastructure damage. Fire- 
prevention design, alarms and fire instructions, annual inspections, 
back-up facilities and safety inventories are aimed at mitigating 
this risk. To spread this risk geographically and optimise costs and 
supply logistics, we have established production capacity on five 
continents. See the map of our production facilities on pp 28–29.

Significant decisions were made in 2011 with regard to the 
geographical spread of our facilities. The Board of Directors 
approved investment plans for implementation of new filling and 
packaging facilities for biopharmaceutical products, ensuring 
back-up production capacity for all filled biopharmaceutical 
products. After the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant 
failure in Japan in March, our packaging plant in Koriyama, 60 
kilometres from the affected nuclear power plant, had to close 

for two weeks. An additional warehouse has been established 
450 kilometres from the affected area and a number of measures 
are in place or are being considered to ensure supply to the Japanese 
market in the event of a future emergency.

Risk of product recalls
Product safety is directly linked to patient well-being, so product 
safety and quality are paramount concerns from both financial and 
reputational perspectives. While the gross risk is high, with product 
safety issues having the potential to adversely affect operations, 
we believe that our vigorous efforts to proactively manage and 
mitigate this risk effectively reduce the company’s net risk profile.

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Product safety and quality are 
paramount concerns, so we
vigorously manage quality risks.

We have a global quality system in place, which ensures effective 
mitigation of risks to patient safety and product quality by struc- 
tured and controlled design, development and production risk 
reductions. The risk reduction activities span the entire life cycle 
of any of our products and are ensured by the completeness and 
full compliance of our quality management system with all 
regulatory requirements including standard operating proce- 
dures, quality audits, quality improvement plans and systematic 
senior management reviews.

For information on Novo Nordisk’s product recalls from 2007 to 
2011, see pp 10 and 96.

Financial risks
Exchange rates
Novo Nordisk’s reporting currency and the functional currency of 
corporate operations is the Danish krone, which is closely linked to 
the euro in a narrow range of ±2.25. The majority of our sales, 
however, are in US dollars, European euros, Chinese yuan, Japanese 
yen and British pounds. Exchange rate risk is therefore the company’s 
biggest financial risk and the risk has grown in importance as the size 
of international markets and the share of sales in different currencies 
have increased. To manage this risk, the company hedges expected 
future cash flows for selected key currencies.

For more information on how the company manages this risk, see 
note 27 to the Consolidated financial statements on pp 79–80.

Tax cases
In the course of conducting a global business, transfer pricing 
disputes may occur. Our policy is to pursue a competitive tax level, 
meaning at or below the average for the company’s peer group, in 
a responsible way. This means paying relevant tax in jurisdictions 
where business activity generates profits. Generally, Novo Nordisk 
affiliates pay tax in the countries in which they operate.

We also seek to keep tax levels stable and predictable. To manage 
uncertainties regarding tax, we have negotiated multi-year 
agreements in key jurisdictions.

For details on taxes paid by the company in 2011, see note 9 on p 69.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     23

 
 
Other legal risks
Novo Nordisk operates in a complex global legal and regulatory 
environment with diverse national, regional and international 
legislation. Legal issues may arise relating to product liability claims, 
company practices and government investigations.

For more information on significant legal issues, see note 31 on 
pp 86–87.

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Ethical risks
Marketing practices
In a competitive environment with increasing regulation, mar- 
keting practices can be the source of legal action or reputational 
risk. Our reputation as a trusted healthcare partner is integral to 
effectively maintaining and growing our business. At the same 
time, the regulatory context for marketing activity is constantly 
changing. A business ethics policy and global business ethics 
procedures, paired with close monitoring of performance, 
reporting requirements and audits and reviews, all aim to 
mitigate these risks. Significant resources are also dedicated  
to training sales and marketing people around the world.

In May 2009, Novo Nordisk entered into a Deferred Prosecution 
Agreement (DPA) for a three-year period with the US Department 
of Justice relating to certain actions undertaken by Novo Nordisk 
under the Oil For Food Programme for Iraq. We must comply with 
the terms of the DPA in order for the case to be dismissed. Novo 
Nordisk has subsequently enacted a detailed programme to en- 
sure compliance with the DPA, including a reinforced governance 
structure, enhanced third-party due diligence systems and periodic 
testing of systems, policies and procedures.

In February 2011, the office of the US Attorney for the District of 
Massachusetts served Novo Nordisk with a subpoena calling for 
the production of documents regarding potential criminal offences 
relating to the company’s marketing and promotion practices for 
the products NovoLog®, Levemir® and Victoza®. Novo Nordisk is 
cooperating with the US Attorney in this investigation.

In June 2011, Novo Nordisk settled a civil case with the US 
Department of Justice and two individuals regarding alleged 
improper marketing of NovoSeven®. As part of the settlement, 
Novo Nordisk paid 25 million US dollars in total, but denied any 
wrongdoing. In addition to the financial settlement related to 
marketing practices in the United States regarding NovoSeven®, 
as part of the agreement with the US Department of Justice, our 
US affiliate entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agree-
ment with the Office of the Inspector General of the US Depart-
ment of Health and Human Services. Under that agreement, our 
US affiliate will add additional reporting and other procedures to 
its already robust compliance programme. Corporate Integrity 
Agreements are customary in this type of settlement and most  
of the major pharmaceutical companies operating in the US are 
party to similar types of agreement.

Significant legal issues relating to marketing practices are 
included in note 31 on pp 86–87.

Legal risks
Intellectual property
Patent rights are a very important tool for promoting innovation, 
leading to new and better products and processes, and stimulating 
long-term economic growth and job creation. Governments may 
not recognise the validity of patents or may be unable or unwilling 
to uphold intellectual property rights. We will enforce our patent 
rights in cases of infringement when this is deemed advisable by 
Executive Management after careful analysis of the patient, social, 
commercial and legal aspects of enforcement. Similar analysis is 
applied to decisions to defend Novo Nordisk’s patent rights against 
other legal challenges. Significant legal issues related to intellectual 
property are included in note 31 on pp 86–87.

24     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
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WINNIE MARGIT HANSEN
Winnie works as a process operator at our production site in Hjørring, Denmark, where she is responsible for quality control of 
NovoTwist® needles. By aligning processes, Winnie and her colleagues are now able to produce more needles with shorter lead times, 
without compromising high quality standards. Winnie sees her role as delivering the highest-quality products to people with diabetes 
exactly when they need them.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     25

 
 
Pipeline overview

In 2011, progress was made throughout Novo Nordisk’s clinical 
development pipeline. This overview illustrates key development 
activities, including entries into the pipeline and progression of 
development compounds. See more at novonordisk.com/investors 
and clinicaltrials.gov.

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Therapy area

Indication

Compound

Description

Diabetes care

Phase 1
Studies in a small group (usually 10 to 100) of healthy volunteers, 
and sometimes patients, to investigate how the body handles new 
medication and establish maximum tolerated dose.

Type 1 and 2 
diabetes

Type 1 and 2 
diabetes

Insulin degludec

Ultra-long-acting basal insulin. Submitted for 
marketing authorisation in five markets in 2011. 

Insulin degludec/
insulin aspart

Ultra-long-acting basal insulin in combination with a boost of bolus insulin 
aspart. Submitted for marketing authorisation in four markets in 2011.

Type 2 diabetes

Insulin degludec/
liraglutide

Liraglutide and insulin degludec in a combination. Phase 3 trials ongoing.

Type 2 diabetes

Semaglutide

Once-weekly GLP-1 analogue. Phase 2 completed.

Diabetes

Type 1 and 2 
diabetes

Type 1 and 2 
diabetes

NN1218

Ultra-fast-acting insulin. Phase 1 trials ongoing.

NN1953

Long-acting oral insulin analogue. Phase 1 trial ongoing.

Type 2 diabetes

Liraglutide depot

Once-weekly liraglutide formulation. Phase 1 trial initiated during 2011. 

Type 2 diabetes

NN9924

Long-acting, oral GLP-1 analogue formulation. Phase 1 trial ongoing.

Type 2 diabetes

NN9926

Long-acting, oral GLP-1 analogue formulation. Phase 1 trials ongoing. 

Obesity

Obesity

Liraglutide

Once-daily GLP-1 analogue. Phase 3a programme ongoing.

Biopharmaceuticals

Congenital FXIII 
deficiency

Catridecacog

Recombinant coagulation factor XIII. Submitted for regulatory approval 
in the US in the first quarter and in the EU in the second quarter of 2011.

Haemophilia A

Turoctocog alfa

Recombinant coagulation factor VIII. Phase 3 completed in 2011. 

Haemophilia

Haemophilia with 
inhibitors

Vatreptacog alfa

Fast-acting recombinant coagulation factor VIIa analogue. 
Phase 3 trial initiated during the second quarter of 2011. 

Haemophilia B

N9-GP

Haemophilia A

N8-GP

Haemophilia

NN7415

Long-acting recombinant coagulation factor IX derivative.  
Phase 3 trial initiated during the second quarter of 2011.

Long-acting recombinant coagulation factor VIII derivative.  
Phase 3 start planned for 2012.

Novel haemophilia treatment in the form of a monoclonal 
antibody against a tissue factor pathway inhibitor. 

Growth 
hormorne

Growth hormone 
deficiency

Rheumatoid 
arthritis

NN8640

Long-acting growth hormone formulation. Phase 1 trial initiated January 2012.

Anti-IL-20

Humanised recombinant monoclonal antibody. Phase 2a trial completed.

Crohn’s disease

Anti-NKG2d

Humanised recombinant monoclonal antibody. Phase 2a trial ongoing.

Inflammation

Rheumatoid 
arthritis

Rheumatoid 
arthritis

Rheumatoid 
arthritis

Rheumatoid 
arthritis

26     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

Anti-NKG2d

Humanised recombinant monoclonal antibody. Phase 2a trial ongoing.

Anti-C5aR

Humanised recombinant monoclonal antibody. Phase 1 trial ongoing.

Anti-IL-21

Humanised recombinant monoclonal antibody. Phase 1 trial ongoing.

Anti-NKG2a

Humanised recombinant monoclonal antibody. Phase 1 trial ongoing.

 
 
Phase 2
Testing a drug at various dose levels in a larger group of patients 
to learn about its effect on the condition and its side effects. In 
phase 2, clinical trials are carried out to evaluate efficacy (and 
safety) in specified populations of patients. The outcome of phase 
2 trials is clinical proof of concept and the selection of dose for 
evaluation in phase 3 trials.

Phase 3
Studies in large groups of patients worldwide comparing the new 
medication with a commonly used drug or placebo for both safety 
and efficacy in order to firmly establish its benefit–risk relationship. 
Phase 3a covers trials conducted after efficacy of the medicine is 
demonstrated but prior to regulatory submission, whereas phase 
3b covers clinical trials completed after regulatory submission.

Intended clinical benefit

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Filed/regulatory 
approval

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Long-acting basal insulin with duration of action of more than 24 hours 
for flexible once-daily treatment and an improved safety profile.

A soluble fixed combination of long-acting insulin combining 
basal insulin coverage with a distinct meal peak of insulin.

Combination of basal insulin degludec and the GLP-1 analogue liraglutide 
providing the benefits of the two components in a single preparation.

Provides the clinical benefits of a GLP-1 analogue with less frequent injections.

Ultra-fast-acting insulin for further improvement 
of glycaemic control in relation to a meal.

Basal insulin delivered as a tablet.

Provides the clinical benefits of a GLP-1 analogue with less frequent injections.

A long-acting GLP-1 analogue delivered as a tablet.

A long-acting GLP-1 analogue delivered as a tablet.

Sustainable weight loss for people with severe obesity, 
including those at particular risk of developing diabetes.

Prophylactic treatment of people with FXIII congenital deficiency.

Prevention and treatment of bleeds in people with haemophilia A.

Effective and sustained resolution of bleeds in people with haemophilia and 
inhibitors, reducing the need for re-treatment and the time to pain relief.

Prophylaxis and treatment of bleeds in people with haemophilia B.

Prophylaxis and treatment of bleeds in people with haemophilia A.

Potential prophylactic treatment of haemophilia with subcutaneous administration.

Provides the clinical benefits of growth hormone with less frequent injections.

Novel mechanism of action intended to improve treatment outcomes 
in patients who do not respond adequately to existing treatments.

Novel mechanism of action intended to improve treatment outcomes 
in patients who do not respond adequately to existing treatments.

Novel mechanism of action intended to improve treatment outcomes 
in patients who do not respond adequately to existing treatments.

Novel mechanism of action intended to improve treatment outcomes 
in patients who do not respond adequately to existing treatments.

Novel mechanism of action intended to improve treatment outcomes 
in patients who do not respond adequately to existing treatments.

Novel mechanism of action intended to improve treatment outcomes 
in patients who do not respond adequately to existing treatments.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     27

 
 
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Novo Nordisk at a glance

Novo Nordisk is a world leader in diabetes care and has a leading 
position in haemophilia treatment. We also provide growth 
hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy and have 
development projects targeting inflammation, obesity and the 
full spectrum of rare bleeding disorders. We have more than 
32,000 employees working in 75 countries. See pp 89–90 
for a list of our subsidiaries.

  North America
  Europe
  International Operations
  Japan & Korea
  Region China

(cid:282)  Headquarters and corporate hubs
(cid:282)  Research and development centres
(cid:282)  Production facilities
(cid:282)  Affiliates
(cid:282)  Representative offices

Sales by geographic region

■ North America 40.1%
■ Europe 28.9%
■ International Operations 14.1%
■ Japan & Korea 9.4%
■ Region China 7.5%

28     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

People treated with injectable
Novo Nordisk diabetes care
products by geographic
region (estimate)

■ North America 14%
■ Europe 23%
■ International Operations 42%
■ Japan & Korea 5%
■ Region China 16%

 
 
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Full-time employees (average)
by geographic region

■ North America 15.2%
■ Europe 56.2%
■ International Operations 13.1%
■ Japan & Korea 3.2%
■ Region China 12.3%

People in clinical trials
by geographic region

■ North America 34.5%
■ Europe 34.2%
■ International Operations 24.1%
■ Japan & Korea 3.3%
■ Region China 3.9%

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     29

 
 
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TRACEY SAVERINO
Tracey, from Bronxville, New York, was diagnosed with gestational diabetes while expecting her baby. Tracey was able to manage the 
condition by focusing on portion control, healthier eating and getting more exercise. Gestational diabetes affects 3–15% of all pregnancies. 
Managing the condition is important to avoid complications for both the mother and infant.

30     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
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Diabetes care

Novo Nordisk has pioneered many therapeutic breakthroughs in 
diabetes care and today diabetes remains our primary focus. We 
are the market leader in diabetes care, with about 50% of the 
total insulin market, 43% of the modern insulin (insulin analogue) 
market and 58% of the Glucagon-Like Peptide (GLP-1) analogue 
market based on volume at year-end.

While diabetes care has improved greatly in recent decades, there 
are still millions of people dying, losing their eyesight or requiring 
amputations because of poorly controlled diabetes.  We know 
that people with diabetes often suffer complications because of 
poor blood glucose control.1

This is a result of a number of factors, including undertreatment 
because of fear of hypoglycaemia or weight gain, a common side 
effect of insulin treatment. People with diabetes also struggle to 
follow complex treatment regimens exactly, and insulin doses are 
sometimes missed. Lack of access to diabetes medicine and care 
is still a barrier to treatment for millions.

In our efforts to defeat diabetes, we have focused our research 
and development activities on addressing the unmet medical 
need to reduce blood glucose without the side effect of low 
blood glucose episodes, called hypoglycaemia. Findings from a 
landmark study in the UK showed that reducing blood glucose 
levels by close to 1% would reduce diabetes-related deaths by 
more than 20% and reduce microvascular complications by 
nearly 40%.2 Microvascular complications include diabetic 
retinopathy, which causes 10,000 cases of blindness annually  
in the US alone.3 

We are dedicated to Changing Diabetes® and improving the 
health of people with diabetes. We do this by developing 
innovative treatments intended to serve individual needs and 
different stages of diabetes. In addition, we work with govern-
ments, healthcare providers, patient organisations and people 
with diabetes to improve standards of care throughout the world.

The diabetes pandemic

Diabetes is a chronic disease currently estimated to affect more 
than 366 million people. If current trends persist, the International 
Diabetes Federation predicts that the number of people affected 
by diabetes will rise to more than 550 million by 2030. Globally, 
diabetes accounted for 11% of total spending on healthcare in 2011.4

For diabetes, the rule of halves tells the story of missed oppor-
tunities along the care pathway, which includes prevention, 
diagnosis, access to care, achieving treatment targets and 
achieving desired outcomes. Of the estimated 366 million people 
with diabetes, only about half have been diagnosed. 

The millions of people whose diabetes is undiagnosed and 
therefore untreated are at risk of developing complications that 
will significantly impair their quality of life and increase healthcare 
costs. The cost of treatment is usually a small fraction of overall 
spending on diabetes care, with most spending allocated for 
serious complications related to inadequate medical care. In the 
US and Europe, for instance, insulin accounts for 3% of the total 
cost associated with treating diabetes.

Key events in diabetes
(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:72)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:74)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:78)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)

and DegludecPlus filed in four markets.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:47)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:85)® approved for paediatric use in the EU.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:47)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:85)® approved for treatment of gestational 

diabetes in the EU.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:47)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:85)® approved for add-on therapy to Victoza® 

for type 2 patients in the EU.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:22)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:18)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:88)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:3)

fixed-dose combination.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:41)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:55)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:75)®, our newest innovation in prefilled devices, 

approved in the EU and introduced in the UK.

DKK billion

Diabetes care 
Sales development

■ Modern insulins
■ Human insulins
■ Protein-related products
■ Oral antidiabetic
products (OAD)

■ Victoza®

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

50.4

45.7

37.5

33.4

30.5

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Modern insulins 
Sales development

■ NovoRapid®
■ NovoMix®
■ Levemir®

DKK billion

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

28.8

26.6

21.5

17.3

14.0

0

6

12

18

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Diabetes rule of halves

Of the estimated 
366 million people 
with diabetes …

about 
50% are 
diagnosed …

Only around 6% 
are estimated to 
have well-managed 
diabetes and desired 
health outcomes

of which 
about 50% 
receive 
care …

of which 
about 50% 
achieve 
treatment 
targets …

of which 
about 50% 
achieve 
desired 
outcomes.

Evidence from medical literature suggests that approximately half of most common chronic disorders 
are undetected: the ‘rule of halves’. Actual rates of diagnosis and treatment vary in different countries.5,6

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     31

 
 
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Unfortunately, it is not only those with undiagnosed diabetes who 
go untreated. Only half of people diagnosed have access to treatment. 
Ensuring access to care can prevent complications and support 
human, social and economic development by reducing the burden 
untreated diabetes places both on healthcare systems and families.
Of those people whose diabetes has been diagnosed and who 
are receiving treatment, it is estimated that only half achieve 
treatment targets and only half of those are achieving desired 

outcomes. Unfortunately, only by achieving treatment targets can 
the risk of developing severe complications be substantially reduced.

What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder affecting the way our bodies use 
digested food for growth and energy. Over 4 million people die 
of complications caused by diabetes every year and millions more 
suffer disabling, costly and life-threatening complications such as 
heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and amputation. 
Diabetes has two main forms: type 1 and type 2 diabetes. 

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong autoimmune disease that develops 
when the body creates an immune reation against its own 
cells, destroying beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the 
pancreas stops producing insulin, typically at a young age. At 
least 90% of people with diabetes have type 2, which is 
caused by a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors. 
People with type 2 diabetes may still make their own insulin  
in the pancreas, but the insulin produced is insufficient and  
is not used as effectively by the body.

Most of the long-term health complications associated with 
diabetes are due to persistent high blood glucose levels, which 
can cause kidney damage, neurological damage, cardiovascular 
damage, damage to the retina or damage to the feet and legs.

Diabetes-related deaths could be reduced by 20% if average 
blood glucose levels (HbA1c) were reduced by 1%.2

Potential complications  
of uncontrolled diabetes

Stroke
Risk: 
Up to four times as likely.
Effective treatment: 
Reduces stroke.

Heart attack
Risk: 
Three times as likely, 
and heart disease is up 
to four times as likely.
Effective treatment: 
Reduces the risk 
of heart failure.

Amputation
Risk: 
A leading cause of 
non-traumatic lower 
limb amputations.
Effective treatment: 
Reduces the number 
of amputations.

Blindness
Risk: 
Diabetes is a leading 
cause of blindness.
Effective treatment: 
Reduces deterioration 
in eyesight.

Total kidney failure
Risk: 
Three times as likely.
Effective treatment: 
Reduces the causes 
of kidney failure.

32     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

Diabetes treatment
For type 1 diabetes, insulin is introduced at diagnosis and is 
required for the rest of the person’s life. Treatment guidelines for 
type 2 diabetes call for different approaches at different stages. 

For type 2 diabetes, the first step is lifestyle changes – diet and 
exercise – and initiation of tablet therapy (metformin). If treat- 
ment targets are not met, GLP-1 therapy, such as Victoza®, or 
basal insulin, such as long-acting Levemir®, may be added. 

As a third step, treatment guidelines call for a transition to 
intensive insulin treatment to maintain good glycaemic 
control. This may include adding a rapid-acting modern 
insulin at mealtimes, such as NovoRapid®, in addition to a 
basal insulin. For insulin initiation, a modern premix insulin 
such as NovoMix® with dual release to cover both mealtime 
and basal requirements may also be used.

One challenge in managing diabetes is to maintain appropriate 
blood glucose levels, adjusting insulin dosing as necessary to 
balance the impact of food and exercise. Low blood glucose 
levels cause hypoglycaemia, which, if untreated, can lead to 
seizures or unconsciousness. In rare cases, hypoglycaemia can 
lead to permanent brain damage or death.

Progression of type 2 diabetes 
and treatment intensification

Diet and exercise

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NovoNorm®
PrandiMet®

GLP-1
Victoza®

Time

Insulin
Levemir®
NovoRapid®
NovoMix®

 
 
 
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Different pathways  
to diabetes control
Modern insulin portfolio
Using protein engineering, we have created a portfolio of insulins 
that offers options for individual treatment needs, accommodating 
different treatment norms and capabilities worldwide. Modern 
insulins are designed to mimic the body’s own physiological 
insulin regulation of blood glucose levels more closely than 
injected human insulin, resulting in better glucose control, lower 
levels of hypoglycaemia and increased convenience for people 
with diabetes. 

We seek to help people control 
their diabetes to live longer, 
more productive lives.

Novo Nordisk’s modern insulin portfolio includes:

(cid:282)  Levemir®, a soluble, long-acting modern insulin for once-daily 
use for type 1 and 2 diabetes. When it is time to begin insulin, 
Levemir® provides glucose control with a favourable weight 
profile. Weight maintenance is important because insulin has 
long been associated with weight gain, a barrier to beginning 
insulin treatment according to diabetes experts. Levemir® is also 
the first and only basal insulin analogue approved for two- to 
five-year-olds with diabetes.

(cid:282)  NovoRapid® (NovoLog® in the US), the world’s most widely 

used rapid-acting insulin for use at mealtimes. For people with 
type 2 diabetes who have uncontrolled blood glucose levels 
while on a basal insulin, intensification with NovoRapid® helps 
attain and maintain treatment goals. NovoRapid® is used by 
people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is also approved 
in some markets for women who are pregnant or 
breastfeeding.

(cid:282)  NovoMix® 70/50/30 (NovoLog® Mix 70/30 in the US) is a 

dual-release modern insulin that covers both mealtime and 
basal requirements. It can be used either to initiate or intensify 
insulin therapy. 

avoid incidences of hypoglycaemia, allowing higher levels of 
blood glucose with the potential for health complications.

Degludec is designed to provide greater dosing flexibility, with 
more than 40 hours' glucose control. This flexibility can give 
people with diabetes the flexibility to administer once-daily 
treatment at a different time from day to day. DegludecPlus 
combines ultra-long-acting insulin degludec and the most pre- 
scribed rapid-acting insulin, NovoRapid®, providing both basal 
and mealtime glucose control.

The regulatory filings for Degludec and DegludecPlus were largely 
based on results from the BEGIN™ and BOOST™ clinical trial 
programmes. Data from the 17 trials have shown Degludec to 
effectively lower blood glucose levels, while demonstrating a 
lower rate of hypoglycaemia, particularly at night, relative to 
insulin glargine. In addition, Degludec will offer greater flexibility 
as to time of administration and, when used with FlexTouch®, can 
allow larger single doses than other insulin devices on the market. 
At present, many people need to take two injections to get their 
total insulin dose.

BEGIN™ and BOOST™ were the largest clinical trial programmes 
in the history of insulin therapy, involving nearly 10,000 people 
with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The programmes were designed 
after consulting with regulatory agencies in the EU, Japan and 
the US.

Innovative early treatment
Victoza®, or liraglutide, is the first and only human Glucagon-Like 
Peptide (GLP-1) analogue with 97% similarity to the natural gut 
hormone. Like natural GLP-1, once-daily Victoza® works by 
stimulating the beta cells in the pancreas to release insulin only 
when blood sugar levels are high.

Until recently, most available treatments for diabetes involved 
trade-offs for physicians and people with diabetes. While effec-
tive at lowering blood glucose, they carried a high risk of inducing 
low blood sugar episodes (hypoglycaemia) and weight gain.

GLP-1 therapies are a major innovation in the treatment of type 2 
diabetes because they lower glucose while having a very low risk 
of triggering hypoglycaemia, and, for most people with diabetes, 
they also support weight loss. In type 2 diabetes, the ability of the 
pancreas to release insulin in response to glucose is impaired. 
GLP-1 therapies help address this defect by acting directly on 
beta cells in the pancreas so that more insulin is released when 
blood glucose is high.

We are committed to producing safe treatments. All of our 
modern insulins have been investigated in many randomised, 
controlled trials and in observational studies in real-life use.

New-generation insulins
Our focus on improving the lives of people with diabetes led us to 
develop two new-generation insulins, Degludec and DegludecPlus, 
which were filed for regulatory approval in key markets in 2011. 
These new-generation insulins are designed to have an ultra-long 
action for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, providing 
stable and consistent blood glucose control while reducing the 
rate of hypoglycaemia, particularly at night when hypoglycaemic 
events are difficult to manage. It is known that many healthcare 
providers and people with diabetes intentionally undertreat to 

Victoza®, the only once-daily GLP-1 analogue, can be used by 
adults with type 2 diabetes who are unable to achieve blood 
glucose goals with lifestyle changes and metformin. For most 
people with type 2 diabetes, Victoza® offers significant blood 
glucose reduction with the benefit of some weight loss in a 
flexible dose that can be taken once daily. Treatment guidelines 
now call for the use of GLP-1 as an option for early treatment of 
type 2 diabetes. 

Victoza® is the leading GLP-1 treatment globally and has steadily 
expanded the market for GLP-1 treatment. Now available in 
nearly 50 markets, Victoza® was also approved for use in China 
during 2011. Victoza® achieved blockbuster status in 2011 with 
sales of more than 1 billion US dollars globally. It has been used 
to treat approximately 600,000 people worldwide.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     33

 
 
We are exploring longer-acting formulations for GLP-1 treatment. 
Liraglutide depot, a slow-release formulation, is being tested for 
once-weekly use in phase 1 clinical trials. We are also exploring 
the GLP-1 analogue semaglutide for once-weekly use. For more 
information, see pp 26–27.

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Device technology supports 
innovative treatments
We continue to focus on making the most preferred treatment 
devices even better. FlexTouch®, our latest innovation in prefilled 
devices, which has been designed to improve the experience of 
performing daily injections, was launched in Europe in 2011. We 
intend to make Degludec and DegludecPlus available in FlexTouch®, 
the first insulin pen that will have the potential to deliver up to 
160 insulin units in a single injection. 

Usability studies have shown that FlexTouch® features are valued 
by patients and healthcare providers. FlexTouch® has a conical 
shape, which is more ergonomic and may help to improve 
stability when injecting. Patients especially appreciate that 
FlexTouch® is the first insulin pen with no push-button extension. 
FlexTouch® also has an easy-touch button, a large, easy-to-read 
scale, accurate and consistent dosing, and an audible click that 
provides a signal when dialling doses up or down or when the  
full dose has been administered.7,8,9

FlexPen®, the world’s most widely used prefilled insulin pen, is 
available for all Novo Nordisk modern insulins and Victoza®. It 
eliminates the need to manually load treatment into a delivery 
device or use a separate vial and syringe.

Changing Diabetes® 
A global commitment 
to people with diabetes
Changing Diabetes® is Novo Nordisk’s global commitment to im-
prove conditions for the millions of people who live with diabetes 
around the world today, and those who are at risk of developing 
diabetes tomorrow. It is a global advocacy and partner platform 
from which we advocate the prevention and earlier detection of 
diabetes, as well as improved treatment, care and health outcomes. 
It is also the framework for a series of partnership programmes 
for interventions and outreach activities, many of which address 
the specific needs of vulnerable groups such as those with low 
incomes, women and children. 

2011 marked a turning point in our fight against diabetes when the 
United Nations convened a special General Assembly to address the 
global challenge of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes. 
Novo Nordisk, represented by President and CEO Lars Rebien 
Sørensen, participated in this historic event, which highlighted the 
serious threat non-communicable diseases present to global social 
and economic development, and the need for concerted action. We 
welcome and support the call to action resulting from the meeting 
and have reaffirmed our commitment to continue our long-term 
efforts to change diabetes through partnerships.

34     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

Concerted action to improve 
access to diabetes care
Ahead of the UN High-Level Meeting, we revisited our access to 
health strategy in consultation with key stakeholders, notably the 
World Health Organization, representing different viewpoints, 
insights and regional perspectives. Ten years ago, Novo Nordisk 
launched its first Access to Health strategy, which resulted in the 
establishment of the independent World Diabetes Foundation, 
our differential pricing policy in least developed countries, 
initiatives to improve healthcare capacity and efforts aimed at 
vulnerable population groups, such as the Changing Diabetes®  
in Children programme and the Changing Diabetes® in Pregnancy 
programme. 

Our insights from the past 10 years were captured in a report 
released in 2011, Access to Diabetes Care – Our Approach. While 
our stakeholders recognise that Novo Nordisk has done much to 
improve access to diabetes care in the least developed countries 
of the world, the lack of access to insulin remains a significant 
concern. Dialogues with stakeholders have helped inform our 
priorities going forward with a better understanding of where to 
strengthen our efforts. See novonordisk.com/sustainability.

Our commitment to discover and develop innovative biological 
medicines and make them accessible to patients throughout the 
world is part of the Novo Nordisk Way. Because healthcare systems 
are at different stages of development, different solutions are 
needed in different countries. Novo Nordisk has the unique 
advantage of the broadest portfolio of diabetes treatments. We 
have also committed to keeping low-priced insulin as a key building 
block of our portfolio and making it available in low- and middle-
income countries. Access to diabetes care is a global concern and 
this will be the premise for our access to diabetes care strategy.

Many barriers to insulin access are linked to distribution systems, 
tendering and government policies. As part of our efforts to find 
an innovative, integrated approach to diagnosis, treatment and 
diabetes control for those at the base of the economic pyramid, 
we launched a pilot project in Kenya in December 2011. A public– 
private partnership involving the Kenyan government and other 
stakeholders, the project seeks to reduce direct and indirect costs 
of treatment by limiting price mark-ups in the supply chain and 
reducing travel costs and lost work days by printing prices on 
insulin packaging and distributing insulin at more locations. In our 
search for a sustainable business model for the base of the pyramid, 
additional projects will be launched in 2012 in rural India and 
Nigeria. To improve access to affordable insulin, Novo Nordisk has 
conducted pilot projects in eight least developed countries and 
recruited staff to address barriers in supply chains.

Another priority is to strengthen the capacity of healthcare 
systems by training healthcare providers to diagnose and treat 
diabetes and its complications. In 2011, Novo Nordisk either 
trained or sponsored training for about 835,000 healthcare 
providers. To empower people with diabetes to better care for 
themselves, in 2011 we also trained or funded training for about 
626,000 people.

In our efforts to strengthen healthcare system capacity, Novo 
Nordisk established the World Diabetes Foundation in 2002. This 
independent and non-profit foundation supports the prevention 
and treatment of diabetes where it is needed most, providing 
funding for local initiatives that improve healthcare system 

 
World Diabetes 
Foundation’s 
impact 2002–2011

(cid:282)  More than 5.6 million people have been screened for diabetes 

(cid:282)  More than 5,000 clinics and micro clinics have been created 

or strengthened by WDF

(cid:282)  1.4 million people with diabetes have been registered and 

treated through diabetes clinics

For more information on the WDF visit worlddiabetesfoundation.org.

capacity. To date it has supported 278 projects in 100 countries. 
We contribute a portion of our insulin sales to the Foundation 
each year, in line with an agreement with our shareholders. These 
contributions totalled 606 million Danish kroner during the 
period from 2002 to 2011. In financial terms, this is our biggest 
single commitment to the improvement of diabetes care in low- 
and middle-income countries. Novo Nordisk also has two seats 
on the Foundation’s board. See pp 9 and 86 for more information. 

Better treatment and care for all
The 2011 UN High-Level Meeting concluded in a UN Declaration 
that calls attention to the threat diabetes and other chronic con- 
ditions pose, and stresses the need for prevention, early detection 
and early intervention. This focus is in line with our long-term efforts 
to increase awareness of diabetes among policymakers. We are 
committed to engaging with stakeholders to explore how the UN 
Declaration can be translated into concrete action to achieve this 
objective. 

Through 87 Diabetes Leadership Forums and regional or national 
roundtables in 78 countries since 2005, we have engaged more 
than 10,000 key stakeholders to date, helping to reach consensus 
about what it will take to address the current challenges and change 
diabetes. During 2012, the European Diabetes Leadership Forum 
will be held in Copenhagen under the auspices of the Danish EU 
Presidency. The event will be hosted by the Danish Diabetes 
Association and the OECD, and Novo Nordisk will co-organise the 
Forum. We will also continue our efforts to follow up on previous 
leadership forums in Russia, China, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle 
East and North Africa, all of which involve commitments to action 
that will benefit people with diabetes.

Through our national Changing Diabetes® programmes, we 
promote better education of healthcare professionals and wider 
availability of screening for diabetes to help save lives and reduce 
long-term economic costs. One example is our Ask.Screen.Know 
initiative in the US, which supports diabetes screening for people 
in the US’s Medicare programme who are at risk of diabetes. It is 
estimated that only 10% of people with risk factors have been 
screened since Medicare began offering screenings in 2005. We 
encourage physicians to have at-risk patients screened and to talk 
with their patients about blood sugar numbers and healthy life- 
style changes. See AskScreenKnow.com and the Ask.Screen.
Know page on Facebook.

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Understanding the needs of people with diabetes is a cornerstone 
of our advocacy work. The second Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes 
and Needs (DAWN™) study represents one of the most significant 
new initiatives from Novo Nordisk to learn from people with 
diabetes and those who care for them. It is a follow-up to our 
landmark study in 2001 to assess the needs of people with diabetes 
globally, with the aim of improving patient involvement, self-
management and psychosocial support. The largest study of its 
kind, the new DAWN™ study will involve more than 16,000 
people worldwide to establish a new understanding and awareness 
of the needs of people with diabetes and those who care for them.

Working in partnership 
across healthcare systems
Most developing countries have no facilities for treating children 
with diabetes. Children with type 1 diabetes have high mortality 
rates, with life expectancies of less than one year in some countries 
in sub-Saharan Africa. Our Changing Diabetes® in Children pro- 
gramme provides the necessary medical and laboratory equipment, 
organises training of healthcare professionals, puts in place 
patient education and creates systems for adequate monitoring 
and follow-up. In addition, insulin and diabetes supplies are 
provided free of charge for the duration of the programme. With 
the ambition of reaching 10,000 children with diabetes within 
five years, we made a 25 million US dollar commitment in 2008.

In 2011, we expanded the programme to India and Ethiopia, enrolled 
about 3,400 children and established more than 40 new clinics 
under the Changing Diabetes® in Children programme, which now 
provides treatment for about 5,000 children.

As part of our contribution to the UN Secretary General’s Every 
Woman Every Child programme, Novo Nordisk has launched its 
Early Origins of Health initiative with the aim of preventing future 
cases of diabetes through screening and treatment of gestational 
diabetes. The initiative is based on partnerships with industry 
peers, the World Diabetes Foundation and the United Nations 
Foundation where each will contribute their expertise in the field 
of health literacy, nutrition, research, access to health, and 
connecting people, ideas and resources.

Our ongoing Changing Diabetes® in Pregnancy programme ties 
to the Early Origins of Health initiative. We have set up local 
public–private partnerships in India, Colombia and Nicaragua 
with an ambition to reach 60,000 pregnant women. We work 
with local health authorities and other partners to train health-
care professionals, build capacity in the health system for 
gestational diabetes screening and management, and test 
innovative ways to effect lifestyle change. The hope is to identify 
cost-effective ways of reducing the burden of diabetes.

1. Global Attitudes of Patients and Physicians in Insulin Therapy (GAPP™) survey, Novo Nordisk, 2010.
2.  UKPDS, Stratten et al. BMJ 2000; vol 321:405–412.
3.  Fong DS, Aiello LP, Ferris FL 3rd, Klein R: Diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes Care 2001; 

27:2540–2553.

4.  International Diabetes Foundation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, fifth edition, 2011.
5.  Hart JT. Rule of halves: implications of increasing diagnosis and reducing dropout for future 

workload and prescribing costs in primary care. Br J Gen Pract 1992, March; 42(356):116–119.

6.  Wilkerson HL, Krall LP. Diabetes in a New England town. JAMA 1947;135:209-246.
7.  Wielandt JO, Niemeyer M, Hansen MR, Bucher D, Thomsen NB. FlexTouch®: A Prefilled Insulin 

Pen with a Novel Injection Mechanism with Consistent High Accuracy at Low- (1 U), 
Medium- (40 U), and High- (80 U) Dose Settings. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2011; 5(5):1195–1199.

8.  Dyer D, Narendran P, Qvist M, Niemeyer M, Nadeau DA. Ease of use and preference 

assessment of a new prefilled insulin pen versus a widely available prefilled insulin pen in 
people with diabetes, physicians and nurses. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2011; doi:10.1517/17425
247.2011.615830.

9.  Bailey T, Thurman J, Niemeyer M, Schmeisl G. Usability and preference evaluation of a 

prefilled insulin pen with a novel injection mechanism. Curr Med Res Opin 2011; 27:2043–52.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     35

 
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ALFRED MONAMETSI
Alfred, from Johannesburg, South Africa, was diagnosed with haemophilia at birth and has been more mobile since beginning to use 
NovoSeven®. As a pastor and certified coach, being able to get out into the community is an important part of doing what Alfred loves: 
helping people. He hopes that future improvements in treatment will make it even easier for people with haemophilia to lead normal lives.

36     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

Biopharma-
ceuticals

We use our understanding of chronic conditions to make a 
difference for people with haemophilia and other rare bleeding 
disorders, growth hormone disorders, symptoms of menopause 
and inflammatory diseases. Our specialised expertise in proteins 
gives us an advantage in developing innovative treatments in 
these therapy areas. 

Commitment
to haemophilia

We see a future where all people with haemophilia have the 
opportunity to live the life they desire. Our commitment to 
haemophilia builds on our 20 years of research into bleeding 
disorders and our promise to work with and listen to patients to 
improve treatment. For details of our strategy to achieve our 
haemophilia ambition, see p 19. 

We developed our recombinant, activated factor VII product, 
NovoSeven®, for the 3,500 people with haemophilia who have 
developed inhibitors, or neutralising antibodies, to their normal 
treatment. NovoSeven® provides effective treatment for bleeding 
episodes. It was a significant innovation when launched in 1996 
and remains the only room temperature-stable recombinant 
bypassing agent available for people who have haemophilia with 
inhibitors. 

NovoSeven® is also the only recombinant medication approved 
for the treatment of bleeding episodes in acquired haemophilia, 
factor VII deficiency and, in Europe, Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia. 
Thanks to its therapeutic properties, 15 years after launch 
NovoSeven® achieved sales growth of 4% in Danish kroner. We 
are continuing to look for ways to make treatment for people 
with haemophilia with inhibitors even more effective. 

To support our ambition and also help people with general 
haemophilia, we have developed the broadest pipeline of 
haemophilia research and development projects in the pharma-
ceutical industry, including treatments for haemophilia A and B. 
See p 38.

As we seek to expand our portfolio and achieve leadership in the 
treatment of haemophilia, we are developing compounds 
targeting faster, more efficient long-acting and even sub-
cutaneous (as opposed to intravenous) prevention and treatment 
of bleeding. During 2011, we made significant progress in the 
development of solutions for the range of haemophilia and other 
rare bleeding disorders. See pp 19 and 26–27.

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Key events in
biopharmaceuticals
(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:22)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)

factor VIII treatment for haemophilia A.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:22)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:16)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)

recombinant treatment for people with haemophilia B.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:22)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:16)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)

recombinant treatment for haemophilia with inhibitors.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:16)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)
treatment for people with haemophilia A. Decision 
made to initiate a phase 3 trial in 2012.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:74)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:75)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:56)(cid:54)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)

the only recombinant treatment for ultra-rare 
congenital factor XIII deficiency.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:16)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:3)

formulation.

DKK billion

Biopharmaceuticals
Sales development

■ Haemostasis management

 (NovoSeven®)

■ Growth hormone therapy
■ Hormone replacement

 therapy

■ Other products

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

15.9

15.1

13.6

12.2

11.4

0

5

10

15

20

Novo Nordisk aspires to
offer treatment for all
people with haemophilia

Haemophilia A
Approx 250,000 patients

Haemophilia B 
Approx 50,000 patients

Inhibitor segment
Approx 3,500 patients

Source: Stonebraker JS et al. Haemophilia 2010; 16:20–32. Haemophilia A and B patients 
represent those characterised as severe.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     37

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What is haemophilia?
Haemophilia is an inherited or acquired bleeding disorder 
that prevents blood from clotting. More than 300,000 
people worldwide are living with severe haemophilia. 
They lack, either partially or completely, an essential 
clotting factor needed to form stable blood clots.

The treatment for haemophilia involves intravenous 
administration of replacement clotting factors. Treatment 
may be administered only when bleeding occurs or, 
increasingly, on a preventive basis, which is called 
prophylactic treatment.

People with haemophilia A may have either no or decreased 
ability to produce clotting factor VIII. Those with haemophilia 
B have deficiencies in producing clotting factor IX.

Some people with haemophilia develop inhibitors, or 
resistance (due to antibody formation), to their normal 
replacement treatment. For these 3,500 people, factor 
VIIa provides clotting action to treat bleeds.

For people with haemophilia, bleeds often occur in the 
joints, particularly the knees and ankles. Bleeds can also 
occur in the muscles, soft tissues, gastrointestinal tract, 
and even in the brain. Surgery, and even tooth extractions, 
require careful medical intervention to control bleeding. 

Without treatment, uncontrolled bleeding can cause 
stiffness, pain and severe joint damage leading to impaired 
mobility. An intracerebral haemorrhage will often be fatal. 

While, thankfully, haemophilia is not becoming more 
common, more people in the world are now having the 
condition properly diagnosed and treated. Also, as 
treatment improves, those with this lifelong condition are 
living longer lives.

Location of bleeds 
and their consequences

Brain

Nose and gums

Head and neck

Gut

Kidneys

Muscles

Joints

Impact on joints:

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:37)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:77)(cid:82)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3)

causes a strong inflammatory 
reaction that predisposes to 
further bleeding.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:44)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:84)(cid:88)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:92)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)

treatment of repeated joint 
bleeds results in a ‘target 
joint’.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:55)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:77)(cid:82)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:90)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:3)
and extremely painful, 
and mobility is restricted.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)
erodes completely and 
permanent joint damage 
(arthropathy) occurs.

(cid:282)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:55)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)
orthopaedic reconstructive 
surgery.

38     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

Changing Possibilities 
in Haemophilia®

To help build a better tomorrow for people with haemophilia, we 
partner with the haemophilia community to deliver innovative 
treatments, access to care, education and community support to 
empower patients.

We recognise that medical products do not address all aspects of 
haemophilia. To strengthen understanding of life with haemophilia, 
we initiated a psychosocial study to determine how to best support 
the needs of people with haemophilia. Interviews have been 
conducted with 900 people to date, including those with 
haemophilia, caregivers and healthcare professionals, in 12 countries. 
This study, called HERO for Haemophilia Experiences, Results and 
Opportunities, is inspired by our decade of experience with 
psychosocial studies in diabetes. 

The initial findings, reported at the meeting of the International 
Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis in Kyoto, Japan, in July 
2011, underline the importance of psychosocial issues in 
haemophilia, which include family tensions, problems of inte-
gration at school, fear of stigmatisation, and concerns about 
integration at work, forming relationships and starting a family.

When the study is finalised in 2012, it will be the largest 
international study into the social and psychological aspects of 
life with haemophilia. More information about HERO is available 
at changingpossibilities.com.

We collaborate with patient and medical organisations around 
the world to drive knowledge about haemophilia and offer training 
to the medical community to improve access to diagnosis and care 
for people with haemophilia globally. Through the Novo Nordisk 
Haemophilia Access to Insight programme we offer support to 
encourage doctors and scientists to enhance their understanding 
of haemophilia and share best practices to improve care. We also 
sponsor an accredited training programme, the Haemophilia 
Academy, as well as scientific sessions at major congresses.

Because haemophilia and other bleeding disorders are relatively 
rare, support for people with bleeding disorders and the com-
munities that support them is critical. To help people with inhibitors 
meet others like them to share information, Novo Nordisk has set 
up a Facebook page for the approximately 800 people with 
inhibitors in the US. Through the changingpossibilities-US.com 
website, we also help caregivers and teenagers connect with 
others like themselves to share experiences.

This year, we launched the Best Buddy award programme in the 
UK at an event at the Houses of Parliament in collaboration with 
the UK Haemophilia Society. The programme raises awareness of 
haemophilia and rare bleeding disorders and recognises the vital 
support provided by the families, carers, friends and teachers of 
children with these conditions. 

Novo Nordisk was an official sponsor of World Haemophilia Day, 
17 April, in 2011. The designated day promoted awareness and 
understanding of haemophilia. Novo Nordisk sponsored activities 
in more than 20 countries, reaching thousands of people. Novo 
Nordisk is also a sponsor of the World Federation of Hemophilia’s 
50th birthday celebrations, which begin in 2012.

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Novo Nordisk 
Haemophilia 
Foundation’s 
impact 2005–2011

People reached through educational activities  More than 13,000
People with haemophilia retested or diagnosed  More than 12,600
Healthcare providers trained in haemophilia care  More than 7,700
53
Projects initiated with local partners 
17
Fellowships awarded to healthcare professionals 

Expanding access to care
We partner with physicians, policymakers and the wider 
haemophilia community to secure optimal care for people 
affected by haemophilia globally.

To give surgical teams an understanding of options for managing 
necessary surgical procedures for people with haemophilia, we 
launched an ongoing training programme in 2009. People with 
haemophilia may suffer joint damage from repeated bleeds. Joint 
replacement may end chronic pain, but there are special challenges 
in performing surgery on people with haemophilia with inhibitors. 
Four-day training programmes are being held at haemophilia 
centres worldwide, with each session accommodating up to four 
surgical teams.

We partner with the haemophilia 
community to deliver access 
to care and empower patients.

Our commitment to the global haemophilia community includes 
efforts to close the gap in care between developed and 
developing countries. We established the non-profit Novo 
Nordisk Haemophilia Foundation (NNHF) in 2005 to address the 
significant need to improve access to care and treatment in 
developing countries. An estimated 75% of the global population 
of people with haemophilia and other rare bleeding disorders live 
in the developing world, and many go undiagnosed or receive 
inadequate care and treatment. Without adequate care, quality 
of life and life expectancy are often significantly reduced.

Our donations to the NNHF, totalling 90 million Danish kroner from 
2005 to 2011, support projects and fellowships in 33 developing and 
emerging countries. NNHF programmes improve access to care by 
focusing on capacity building, awareness creation and diagnosis and 
registries. By working with partners across all areas of the 
haemophilia and allied bleeding disorder community with local 
ownership of projects, the NNHF aims to ensure the sustainability of 
development programmes. See nnhf.org for more information.

determining which therapy areas to enter. We also assess the 
potential for global market leadership.

Growth hormone therapy
Through our 40-year commitment to growth hormone therapy 
and our expertise in protein molecules, we have become one of 
the world’s leading producers of human growth hormone. Growth 
hormone deficiency is due to a defect in the pituitary gland at the 
base of the brain. If the pituitary gland does not produce enough 
growth hormone, growth is slower than normal. Children need 
growth hormone to grow to normal height. In adults, growth 
hormone is needed to maintain the proper amounts of body fat, 
muscle and bone to reduce metabolic complications and maintain 
a good quality of life.

Norditropin® is the only liquid growth hormone product with a 
formulation that does not require refrigeration after first use and 
is available in a prefilled, ready-to-use device.1 Although Norditropin® 
is a man-made form of growth hormone, it is identical to growth 
hormone produced by the body. Norditropin® is approved for the 
treatment of certain growth hormone deficiencies in children and 
adults. In some markets, it is approved to help children of short 
stature as a result of Noonan syndrome or Turner syndrome grow 
taller. Research shows that children of short stature may be more 
likely to experience difficulty at school, while adults with growth 
hormone deficiency may have below-average health-related 
quality of life.

Our commitment to growth hormone therapy includes 
development of a long-acting formulation, which is currently in 
phase 1 clinical trials. One example of our ongoing efforts to 
build upon scientific research to improve patient care is the 
NordiNet® International Outcome Study, an electronic patient 
data registry intended for endocrinologists. We also engage in 
activities to raise awareness of the need for diagnosis and 
treatment of growth hormone disorders among general health 
practitioners.

We have drawn on our technological expertise in injection devices 
to improve growth hormone delivery systems and products. In 
2011, we launched a new prefilled device, Norditropin® FlexPro®, in 
Australia. Norditropin® FlexPro® was first launched in 2010 in 
Europe, Japan and the US. Its features include an easy-touch dose 
button and an audible click, which lets the user know when the full 
dose has been delivered. The pen is also shorter, with the intention 
to make it easier to hold and handle for both children and adults.

Hormone replacement therapy
Our market-leading hormone therapy products Vagifem® and 
Activelle® (Activella® in the US) build on our 35 years of experience 
with hormone treatment for menopausal symptoms. Vagifem® 10 μg, 
the lowest effective dose available for the local treatment of vaginal 
atrophy, was launched in Spain, Finland and Norway during 2011. 

Our long-standing position is that hormone replacement therapy for 
women should be prescribed at the lowest effective dose and for a 
time period consistent with treatment goals and assessed risks.

Other therapy areas

As a focused healthcare company, we consider our core strengths 
in protein engineering and chronic disease treatment when 

1.  Only the 5 μg and 10 μg sizes are room temperature-stable. All Norditropin® products must be 

refrigerated prior to first use. Do not freeze. After initial use, FlexPro® 5 mg/1.5 ml and 10 mg/1.5 
ml delivery pens can either be stored outside the refrigerator (at up to 25°C or 77°F) for use within 
three weeks, or in the refrigerator (between 36°F and 46°F) for use within four weeks. The 
FlexPro® 15 mg/1.5 ml and NordiFlex® 30 mg/3 ml delivery pens must always be refrigerated 
(between 36°F and 46°F) – both prior to and after the initial injection – for use within four weeks.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     39

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NANCY SHAMMOUT
For Nancy, a diabetes product specialist in Amman, Jordan, working for Novo Nordisk means being a part of improving life for people 
with diabetes. She works with healthcare providers and patients in Jordan to improve awareness of modern insulins and how they can 
improve glucose control.

40     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
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Corporate 
governance

Novo Nordisk seeks to create sustainable value and our 
corporate governance framework is designed to support this. 
While our corporate governance framework complies with 
applicable laws and requirements, it is designed specifically for 
Novo Nordisk.

Framework
The Novo Nordisk Way forms the foundation of our internal 
values-based framework, with values that are consistent with the 
principles of good governance. Our corporate governance frame-
work aligns with internal principles as well as external regulations 
and codes. This includes compliance with applicable securities 
laws and corporate governance standards in Denmark and the 
US, including the Danish Corporate Governance Recommendations.

The values of the Novo Nordisk Way reflect the shared values of 
the Novo Group, of which Novo Nordisk is a member. The holding 
company of the Novo Group is Novo A/S, a Danish limited liability 
company wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, a 
commercial foundation. See novonordiskfonden.dk.

Our corporate governance 
framework supports 
sustainable value creation.

Novo Nordisk adheres to the Charter for Companies in the Novo 
Group, which is available online at novo.dk. However, all strategic 
and operational matters are solely decided by the Board and 
Management of Novo Nordisk.

Governance structure
Our company holds itself accountable to shareholders for its 
performance. We seek to enhance the accuracy, completeness 
and reliability of the information provided in annual reporting 
through internal controls, assurance and independent audits. 
Reporting helps shareholders assess the actions of the Board 
and Management. 

Shareholders
Novo Nordisk’s share capital is divided into A shares and B shares. 
All A shares are held by Novo A/S, which also holds B shares, as 
reported on p 53. The B shares are traded on NASDAQ OMX 
Copenhagen and in the form of ADRs on the New York Stock 
Exchange. Each A share (nominal value 1 Danish krone) carries 
1,000 votes and each B share (nominal value 1 Danish krone) 
carries 100 votes. Special rights attached to A shares include 
pre-emptive subscription rights in the event of an increase of the 
A share capital and pre-emptive purchase rights in the event of 
a sale of A shares and priority dividend if the dividend is below 
0.5%, while B shares take priority for dividends between 0.5% 
and 5% and for winding-up proceedings.

Shareholders have ultimate authority over the company and 
exercise their right to make decisions at general meetings in 
person, by proxy or by correspondence. Resolutions can generally 
be passed by a simple majority. However, resolutions to amend 
the Articles of Association require two-thirds of votes cast and 
capital represented, unless other adoption requirements are 
imposed by the Danish Companies Act. We are not aware of the 
existence of any agreements with or between shareholders on 
the exercise of votes or control.

At the annual general meeting, shareholders approve the annual 
report and any amendments to the company’s Articles of 
Association. Shareholders also elect board members and the 
independent auditor.

The Board has decided that general meetings should be conducted 
by physical attendance. Shareholders may, however, vote by proxy 
or correspondence, either electronically or by mail. The meeting is 
webcast and can be viewed online at novonordisk.com.

General meetings must be called with three to five weeks’ 
notice. The meeting agenda is sent out with a combined proxy 
and voting form, allowing shareholders to vote on each agenda 
item separately. A shareholder’s right to attend and vote at a 
general meeting is determined by shares owned as of the record 
date, which is one week prior to the general meeting. All share-
holders may, no later than six weeks prior to the general meeting, 
request that proposals for resolution be included on the agenda. 
The deadline for applying for an admission card to a general 
meeting is no later than three days prior to the general meeting. 
All documents relating to general meetings are published on 
Novo Nordisk’s website at least three weeks prior to the event.

Board of Directors
The company has a two-tier board structure consisting of the 
Board of Directors and Executive Management. The two bodies 
are separate and no one serves as a member of both. On behalf 
of shareholders, the Board determines the company’s overall 
strategy and actively contributes to developing the company as a 
focused, sustainable, global pharmaceutical company. The Board 
supervises Executive Management in its decisions and operations. 
It may also issue new shares or buy back shares in accordance 
with authorisations granted by the general meeting and recorded 
in the meeting minutes. For minutes from the general meeting, 
see novonordisk.com/about_us.

The Board has 12 members, eight of whom are elected by share-
holders at general meetings and four by employees in Denmark. 
Shareholder-elected board members serve a one-year term and 
may be re-elected. Members must retire at the first general 
meeting after reaching the age of 70. The majority of the 
shareholder-elected board members, five out of eight, are 
independent as defined by the Danish Corporate Governance 
Recommendations. See p 50. 

A proposal for nomination of board members is presented by 
the Chairmanship to the Board, taking into account required 
competences as defined by the Board’s competence profile, and 
reflecting the result of a self-assessment process facilitated in 
some years by external consultants. The assessment process is 
based on written questionnaires and evaluates the Board’s 
composition and the skills of its members, including whether 
each board member and executive participates actively in board 
discussions and contributes with independent judgement.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     41

 
 
 
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The self-assessment and the Board’s competence profile are 
used in the nomination process. The competence profile was 
significantly revised in 2011 to include special competences 
relating to the chairmanship, aspirations regarding Board 
diversity and a 12-year guiding principle on Board tenure.

To ensure that discussions include multiple perspectives 
representing the complex, global pharmaceutical environment, 
the Board aspires to be diverse in gender and nationality. 
Currently, about 40% of the Board is either female or a citizen 
of a country other than Novo Nordisk’s home market. Half of 
the shareholder-elected board members are non-Danes. While 
the Board is 8% female, no shareholder-elected board members 
are female.

The self-assessment conducted in 2011 resulted in enhancements 
in the succession process and preparedness as well as improve-
ments to nomination criteria for new board members. In order to 
support continued fulfilment of the Novo Nordisk Way, criteria for 
board members include integrity, accountability, financial literacy 
and desire for innovation. Members are also expected to have 
experience managing major companies that develop, manufacture 
and market products and services globally. The competence 
profile, which includes nomination criteria, is available online 
at novonordisk.com/about_us. 

Under Danish law, Novo Nordisk’s employees in Denmark are 
entitled to be represented by half of the total number of board 
members elected at the general meeting. In 2010, employees 
elected four board members from among themselves. Board 
members elected by employees serve a four-year term and have 
the same rights, duties and responsibilities as shareholder-elected 
board members.

The Board met seven times during 2011. Four meetings were 
attended by all board members; three of the members were 
excused from attending one meeting each during the year. With 
the exception of agenda items reserved for the Board’s internal 
discussion at each meeting, executives attend and may speak, 
without voting rights, at board meetings to ensure that the Board 
is adequately informed of the company’s operations. Executives 
provide regular feedback from meetings with investors to give 
board members an insight into major shareholders’ views of the 
company.

Chairmanship
The annual general meeting directly elects the chairman and the 
vice chairman. In 2011, the Chairmanship held seven meetings 
and both members attended all meetings. 

The Chairmanship carries out administrative tasks such as 
planning board meetings to ensure a balance between overall 
strategy setting and financial and managerial supervision of the 
company. It also reviews the fixed asset investment portfolio. 
Other tasks include recommending the remuneration of directors 
and executives, and suggesting candidates for election by the 
general meeting.

In practice, the Chairmanship has the roles and responsibilities of 
a nomination committee and a remuneration committee, and 
presents proposals to the Board. The Board has not established 
separate committees, believing that each board member must 
have the opportunity to contribute actively to discussions and 
have access to all relevant information about remuneration and 
nomination.

42     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

In March 2011, the annual general meeting elected Sten Scheibye 
as chairman and Göran A Ando as vice chairman. See novonordisk.
com/about_us for a detailed report on the Chairmanship’s 
activities.

Ad hoc nomination team
To enhance focus on the succession preparedness of the Board 
and of Executive Management, an ad hoc nomination team, 
consisting of the Chairmanship plus Jørgen Wedel and Henrik 
Gürtler, was established to prepare the Board's discussions 
regarding nomination of board members and succession in 
Executive Management. This team served throughout 2011 
but is not intended to be a permanent committee of the Board.

Audit Committee
The three members of the Audit Committee are elected by 
the Board from among its members. All members qualify as 
independent and have been designated as financial experts as 
defined by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 
Under Danish law, all members qualify as financial experts and 
two of the members also qualify as independent. In 2011, the 
Audit Committee held four meetings, attended by all members.

The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors with oversight 
of the external auditors, the internal audit function, complaints 
regarding fraud or violations of ethics, values or quality controls, the 
financial and non-financial reporting process and post-investment 
reviews. The Audit Committee conducts a self-assessment annually, 
evaluating whether each member participates actively in discussions 
and contributes with independent judgement. In March 2011, the 
Board re-elected Kurt Anker Nielsen as chairman and re-elected 
Jørgen Wedel and Hannu Ryöppönen as members of the Audit 
Committee. See novonordisk.com/about_us for a detailed report 
on the Audit Committee’s activities.

Possible business ethics misconduct 
may be raised through the 
global compliance hotline.

Concerns regarding possible breaches of business ethics or 
financial fraud, violations of the Novo Nordisk Way or quality 
lapses may be raised anonymously by employees and other 
stakeholders through the global compliance hotline. Complaints 
made through the compliance hotline are received by the Audit 
Committee Secretariat. Complaint handling is monitored by the 
Chairmanship or the Audit Committee, depending on the nature 
of the complaint. As such the hotline works independently of 
Executive Management. The compliance hotline is accessible 
by telephone and online in nine languages. 

Novo Nordisk’s risk management and internal controls in relation 
to financial processes are designed to effectively control the risk 
of material misstatements. A detailed description of the internal 
controls and risk management system implemented in relation to 
financial reporting processes is available at novonordisk.com/
about_us. Novo Nordisk is in compliance with US Sarbanes–Oxley 
Act section 404, which requires Novo Nordisk to design and 
implement an adequate system of internal controls over financial 
reporting processes to ensure that there are no material mis-
statements in the financial reporting. The company’s conclusion 
and the auditor’s evaluation of the internal controls over financial 

 
 
 
Internal audit
The company’s internal audit function, Group Internal Audit, 
reports to the Audit Committee. The internal audit function 
provides independent and objective assurance primarily within 
internal control of financial processes and business ethics.

To ensure that the internal financial audit function works 
independently of Management, its charter, audit plan and budget 
are approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee 
must approve the appointment, remuneration and dismissal of 
the head of the internal audit function.

Three other types of internal audit – quality audits, organisational 
audits and values audits, called facilitations – help ensure that the 
organisation adheres to high quality standards and operates in 
accordance with the Novo Nordisk Way. For information on 
facilitations see pp 10 and 17.

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reporting are included in its Form 20-F filing to the US Securities 
and Exchange Commission.

Executive Management 
The Board has delegated responsibility for day-to-day manage-
ment to Executive Management. Executive Management consists 
of the president and chief executive officer plus four other 
executives. They are responsible for organisation of the company 
as well as allocation of resources, determination and implemen-
tation of strategies and policies, direction-setting and ensuring 
timely reporting and provision of information to the Board and 
the stakeholders of Novo Nordisk. Executive Management meets 
at least once a month and often more frequently. The Board 
appoints members of Executive Management and determines 
remuneration. The Chairmanship reviews the performance of 
the executives.

Assurance
External audit
The company’s financial reporting and the internal controls over 
financial reporting processes are audited by an external auditor 
elected at the annual general meeting. The auditor acts in the 
interest of shareholders and reports any significant findings 
regarding accounting matters and any significant internal control 
deficiencies to the Audit Committee and to the Board. As part of 
the company’s commitment to financial, social and environmental 
responsibility, Novo Nordisk voluntarily includes an assurance 
report for non-financial reporting in its annual report. The assurance 
provider reviews whether the non-financial performance 
information covers aspects deemed to be material and verifies the 
internal control processes of the information reported.

Corporate governance codes and practices
Framework

Governance structure

Assurance

Shareholders

Board of Directors

Audit 
Committee

Chairman- 
ship

Executive Management

External 
codes and 
regulations
(external)

Novo 
Nordisk 
Way
(internal)

Audit of 
financial data 
and review 
of social and 
environmental 
data (external 
and internal)

Facilitation 
and 
organisational 
audit 
(internal)

The applicable corporate governance codes for each stock 
exchange and a review of Novo Nordisk’s compliance are 
available at novonordisk.com/about_us. In accordance with 
Section 107b of the Danish Financial Statements Act, Novo 
Nordisk has disclosed the mandatory corporate governance 
report at novonordisk.com/about_us/corporate_governance/
compliance.asp.

Novo Nordisk follows the majority of the Danish Corporate 
Governance Recommendations, but does not conform in the 
following ways:

(cid:282)  The Board does not have a remuneration committee.

(cid:282)  The Board does not have a nomination committee (as defined 

by the Danish Corporate Governance Recommendations).

(cid:282)  Existing executive employment contracts allow for severance 
payments of more than 24 months’ fixed base salary plus 
pension contribution.

Explanations of deviations from these recommendations are 
given on pp 42 and 47.

Organisation

Quality audit 
(internal)

As a foreign listed private issuer, Novo Nordisk is in compliance 
with the corporate governance standards of the New York Stock 
Exchange, where Novo Nordisk’s ADRs are listed. 

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     43

 
 
 
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Remuneration report

In keeping with our aim to attract, retain and motivate talented 
individuals, remuneration at Novo Nordisk is designed to be 
competitive. For executives and employees, remuneration 
rewards short- and long-term performance and is aligned 
with the interest of the shareholders.

Novo Nordisk’s remuneration principles provide guidance for 
remuneration of the Board and Executive Management. The 
principles are online at novonordisk.com/about_us.

Remuneration is assessed on an annual basis against a bench-
mark of Scandinavian companies and European pharmaceutical 
companies that are similar to Novo Nordisk in size and complexity 
in accordance with the remuneration principles for the Board of 
Directors and Executive Management. The results of the annual 
remuneration bench marking for board members are presented 
to the Board by the chairman at its October meeting. At the 
2012 annual general meeting a proposal will be made to align 
the remuneration benchmarks for the Board and Executive 
Management.

Board of Directors’ remuneration 
The remuneration of the Board of Directors is comprised of 
a fixed base fee, a multiplier of the fixed base fee for the 
Chairmanship and members of the Audit Committee, fees 
for ad hoc tasks and a travel allowance.

At the December meeting, the Board agrees on recommendations 
for remuneration levels for the next financial year. In connection 
with the approval of the annual report, the Board endorses 
the actual remuneration for the past financial year and the 
recommendation on remuneration levels for the current financial 

year. This is then presented to the annual general meeting for 
approval.

Based on the benchmark assessment in October 2010, the Board 
determined that, in order to continue to attract and retain 
talented board members, it would be appropriate to make an 
adjustment to the annual fixed base fee paid to each board 
member. As a consequence, the Board proposed to the 2011 
annual general meeting an adjustment of the fixed base fee 
to 500,000 Danish kroner, and this was approved.

The benchmark assessment also led the Board to propose to 
the annual general meeting that the chairman receive 3.0 times 
the base fee and the vice chairman and the audit committee 
chairman receive 2.0 times the base fee. The proposal for other 
members of the audit committee was 1.5 times the base fee. 
These proposals were approved by the 2011 annual general 
meeting.

Travel and other expenses 
All board members who do not reside in Denmark are paid a fixed 
travel allowance when attending board meetings in Denmark. No 
travel allowance is paid to board members when attending board 
meetings outside Denmark. The travel allowance is 3,000 euros 
for Europe-based board members and 6,000 euros for US- and 
Asia-based board members. Expenses such as travel and accom-
modation in relation to board meetings as well as relevant 
continuing education are reimbursed. Novo Nordisk also pays 
social security taxes imposed by foreign authorities and bank 
transfer fees.

Variable remuneration
Board members are not offered stock options, warrants, 
restricted stock or participation in other incentive schemes.

Board of Directors
In 2011, the base fee for members of the Board of Directors was DKK 500,000 (DKK 400,000 in 2010).

DKK million 

Sten Scheibye (chairman of the Board) 
Göran A Ando (vice chairman of the Board) 
Kurt Anker Nielsen (chairman of the Audit Committee) 
Hannu Ryöppönen (Audit Committee member) 
Jørgen Wedel (Audit Committee member) 
Bruno Angelici3 
Henrik Gürtler 
Johnny Henriksen4 
Ulrik Hjulmand-Lassen 
Pamela J Kirby4 
Thomas Paul Koestler3 
Anne Marie Kverneland 
Søren Thuesen Pedersen 
Stig Strøbæk 

Total 

20111

2010

Fixed 
base fee 

Fee for 
ad hoc tasks and 
Fixed 
committee work2  allowance  Total  base fee 

Travel 

Fee for
ad hoc tasks and 
committee work2  allowance  Total

Travel 

1.5 
1.0 
0.5 
0.5 
0.5 
0.4 
0.5 
– 
0.5 
0.1 
0.4 
0.5 
0.5 
0.5 

7.4 

– 
0.1 
0.5 
0.3 
0.3 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

1.2 

– 
0.1 
– 
0.1 
0.3 
0.1 
– 
– 
– 
– 
0.2 
– 
– 
– 

1.5 
1.2 
1.0 
0.9 
1.1 
0.5 
0.5 
– 
0.5 
0.1 
0.6 
0.5 
0.5 
0.5 

0.8 

9.4 

1.0 
0.6 
0.4 
0.4 
0.4 
– 
0.4 
0.1 
0.3 
0.4 
– 
0.4 
0.4 
0.4 

5.2 

– 
0.3 
0.5 
0.2 
0.2 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

1.2 

– 
0.1 
– 
0.1 
0.1 
– 
– 
– 
– 
0.1 
– 
– 
– 
– 

1.0
1.0
0.9
0.7
0.7
–
0.4
0.1
0.3
0.5
–
0.4
0.4
0.4

0.4 

6.8

1.  2011 amounts reflect changes in base payment, multiples and travel allowance approved at the 2011 general meeting. 

These changes were proposed based on benchmark assessments and the need to continue to attract and retain talented board members.

2. Ad hoc fees are for the research and development facilitator, a position that was abolished for 2011. Göran A Ando received 0.3 million Danish kroner in 2010.
3. First elected at the annual general meeting in March 2011.
4. Johnny Henriksen resigned as of March 2010. Pamela J Kirby resigned as of March 2011.

44     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Executive remuneration
Executive remuneration is proposed by the Chairmanship and 
subsequently approved by the Board.

Remuneration packages for executives comprise a fixed base 
salary, a cash-based incentive, a share-based incentive, a pension 
contribution and other benefits. The split between fixed and 
variable remuneration is intended to result in a reasonable part of 
the salary being linked to performance, while promoting sound 
long-term business decisions to achieve the company’s objectives. 
The aggregate maximum amount that may be granted as an 
incentive for a given year is currently equal to 14 months’ fixed 
base salary plus pension contribution. All incentives are subject 
to claw-back if it is subsequently determined that payment was 
based on information that was manifestly misstated.

Fixed base salary
The fixed base salary accounts for 35–55% of the total value 
of the remuneration package. The base salary is intended to 
attract and retain executives with the professional and personal 
competences required to drive the company’s performance.

Remuneration package 
components

Board of 
Directors

Executive 
Management

Fixed base salary

Yes

Cash-based 
incentive

Share-based 
incentive

Pension

Other benefits

Severance 
payment

No

No

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Executive remuneration

At on-target performance:
fixed versus variable pay

■ Fixed base salary 52%
■ Cash-based incentive 9%
■ Share-based incentive 22%
■ Pension 15%
■ Other benefits 2%

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Cash-based incentive
The cash-based incentive is designed to incentivise individual 
performance and short-term achievements in line with company 
targets, and may result in an annual payout of up to four months’ 
fixed base salary plus pension contribution for reaching individ-
ualised targets. In cases of extraordinary individual performance, 
the maximum annual payout may be up to six months’ fixed base 
salary plus pension contribution. For 2011, this maximum has 
been capped at five months’ fixed base salary plus pension 
contribution. The individualised performance targets are linked 
to goals in the company’s Balanced Scorecard. Short-term targets 
for the chief executive officer are fixed by the chairman of the 
Board of Directors, while the targets for the other members of 
Executive Management are fixed by the chief executive officer. 

The Chairmanship of the Board evaluates the degree of achieve-
ment for each member of Executive Management based on input 
from the chief executive officer.

Share-based incentives
The long-term, share-based incentive programme, designed to 
promote the collective performance of Executive Management 
and align the interests of executives and shareholders, may result 
in an annual allocation of up to eight months’ fixed base salary 
plus pension contribution. Share-based incentives are linked to 
both financial and non-financial targets. The programme is based 
on a calculation of shareholder value creation compared with 
planned performance and may, subject to the Board’s assess-
ment, be reduced to reflect underperformance in meeting 
significant research and development or sustainability targets. 

Aligned with Novo Nordisk’s long-term financial targets, the 
calculation of shareholder value creation is based on reported 
operating profit after tax reduced by a weighted average cost 
of capital-based return requirement on average net operating 
assets. A proportion of the calculated shareholder value creation 
is allocated to a joint pool for the participants, who include 
Executive Management and senior vice presidents. 

The allocation to the joint pool can also be adjusted by the Board to 
reflect achievement of development milestones in the research and 
development pipeline and sustainability targets, which include 
long-term environmental targets, employee training objectives 
and company reputation objectives. 

Once the joint pool has been approved by the Board, the total 
cash amount is converted into Novo Nordisk B shares at market 

At maximum performance:
fixed versus variable pay

■ Fixed base salary 39%
■ Cash-based incentive 13%
■ Share-based incentive 33%
■ Pension 13%
■ Other benefits 2%

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     45

 
 
 
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Executive Management and other members of the Senior Management Board

DKK million 

2011 Executive Management:
Lars Rebien Sørensen 
Jesper Brandgaard 
Lise Kingo 
Kåre Schultz 
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen 

Executive Management in total 

Other members of the Senior Management Board in total1 

Joint pool2 

2010 Executive Management:
Lars Rebien Sørensen 
Jesper Brandgaard 
Lise Kingo 
Kåre Schultz 
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen 

Executive Management in total 

Other members of the Senior Management Board in total1 

Joint pool2 

Fixed base 
salary 

Cash-based 
incentive 

Pension 

Other 
benefits 

Share-based 
incentive 

Total
remuneration

7.3 
4.5 
4.1 
4.9 
4.5 

25.3 

70.8 

6.6 
4.3 
3.9 
4.7 
4.3 

23.8 

62.5 

3.1 
1.5 
1.4 
1.7 
1.9 

9.6 

2.7 
1.5 
1.3 
1.7 
1.5 

8.7 

0.3 
0.3 
0.3 
0.3 
0.3 

1.5 

26.3 

22.4 

10.8 

2.2 
1.4 
1.3 
1.6 
1.4 

7.9 

2.2 
1.4 
1.3 
1.7 
1.4 

8.0 

0.3 
0.3 
0.3 
0.3 
0.3 

1.5 

23.8 

20.9 

10.3 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

56.9 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

64.3 

13.4 
7.8 
7.1 
8.6 
8.2 

45.1 

130.3

56.9

11.3 
7.4 
6.8 
8.3 
7.4 

41.2 

117.5

64.3

1.  The total remuneration for 2011 includes remuneration to 26 (24 in 2010) senior vice presidents, one (three in 2010) of whom retired or left the company. The 2011 remuneration for one retiring, 

senior vice president (three in 2010) is included in the table above, whereas a settlement of 5 million Danish kroner (25 million Danish kroner in 2010) is not included.

2.  The joint pool is locked up for three years before it is transferred to the participants employed at the end of the three-year period. The value is the cash amount of the share bonus granted in the 

year using the grant-date market value of Novo Nordisk B shares. Based on the split of participants at the time of establishment of the joint pool, approximately 30% of the pool will be allocated to 
the members of Executive Management and 70% to other members of the Senior Management Board (2010: 30% and 70% respectively). In the lock-up period, the joint pool may potentially be 
reduced in the event of lower-than-planned value creation in subsequent years.

Management’s long-term incentive programme
The shares allocated to the joint pool for 2008 (166,302 shares) were released to the individual participants subsequent to the approval 
of the Annual Report 2011 by the Board of Directors and the announcement on 2 February 2012 of 2011 full year financial results. 
Based on the share price at the end of 2011, the value of the released shares is as follows:

Value as at 31 December 2011 of shares released 2 February 2012 

Executive Management:
Lars Rebien Sørensen 
Jesper Brandgaard 
Lise Kingo 
Kåre Schultz 
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen 

Executive Management in total 

Other members of the Senior Management Board in total2 

Number  Market value1
(DKK million)
of shares 

15,578 
10,381 
10,381 
10,381 
10,381 

57,102 

98,820 

10.2 
6.9 
6.9 
6.9 
6.9 

37.8 

65.2 

1. The market value of the shares released in 2011 is based on the Novo Nordisk B share price of 660 Danish kroner at the end of 2011.
2. In addition, 10,380 shares (market value: 6.9 million Danish kroner) were released to retired members of Management.

Lars Rebien Sørensen serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Danmarks Nationalbank, from which he received remuneration of 21,841 Danish kroner in 2011 (compared with 20,000 kroner 
in 2010), as a member of the Board of Directors of DONG Energy A/S, from which he received remuneration of 175,000 kroner in 2011 (compared with 175,000 kroner in 2010) and as a member of 
the Supervisory Board of Bertelsmann AG, from which he received remuneration of 85,000 euros in 2011 (compared with 50,000 euros in 2010). As of 12 July 2011, Mr Sørensen has also served as a 
member of the Board of Directors of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc, but has not received any remuneration. Jesper Brandgaard serves as chairman of the Board of Directors of SimCorp A/S, from which 
he received remuneration of 753,455 kroner in 2011 (compared with 794,425 kroner in 2010). Kåre Schultz serves as a member of the Board of Directors of LEGO A/S, from which he received remuneration 
of 300,000 kroner in 2011 (compared with 300,000 kroner in 2010). Kåre Schultz also serves as chairman of the Board of Directors of Royal Unibrew A/S, from which he received remuneration of 
625,000 kroner in 2011 (compared with 156,250 kroner in 2010). Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Cellartis AB, from which he received remuneration of 
50,000 Swedish kroner in 2011 (50,000 kroner in 2010).

46     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
price, which is calculated as the average trading price on 
NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen in the open trading window 
following the release of financial results for the prior year. The 
shares in the joint pool are allocated to the participants on a pro 
rata basis: the chief executive officer has three units, executive 
vice presidents have two units each and senior vice presidents 
have one unit each.

The shares in a joint pool in any given year are locked up for three 
years before they are transferred to participants. If a participant 
resigns during the lock-up period, his or her shares will remain 
in the joint pool for the benefit of the other participants. In the 
lock-up period, the Board may remove shares from the joint pool 
in the event of lower-than-planned value creation. The value of 
the joint pool will change during the lock-up period depending 
on the development in the share price, aligning the interests of 
participants with those of shareholders. 

Pension
The pension contribution is 25–30% of the fixed base salary 
including bonus. Pension contributions are made to provide an 
opportunity for executives to build up an income for retirement. 

Remuneration rewards short- 
and long-term performance.

Other benefits
Other benefits are added to ensure that overall remuneration is 
competitive and aligned with local practice. Executives receive 
non-monetary benefits such as company cars and phones. Such 
benefits are approved by the Board by delegation of powers to the 
Chairmanship. In addition, executives may participate in employee 
benefit programmes such as employee share purchase programmes. 

Severance payment
Novo Nordisk may terminate employment by giving executives 
12 months’ notice. Executives may terminate their employment 
by giving Novo Nordisk six months’ notice. In addition to the 
notice period, executives are entitled to a severance payment. 
Existing employment contracts allow severance payments of up 
to 36 months’ fixed base salary plus pension contributions in the 
event of a merger, acquisition or takeover of Novo Nordisk. If an 
executive is terminated by Novo Nordisk for other reasons, the 
severance payment is three months’ fixed base salary plus 
pension contribution per year of employment as an executive, 
taking into account previous employment history. 

In no event will the severance payment be less than 12 months’ or 
more than 36 months’ fixed base salary plus pension contribution. 
For new employment contracts, the severance payment will be no 
more than 24 months’ fixed base salary plus pension contribution, 
which will bring Novo Nordisk into alignment with the Danish 
Corporate Governance Recommendations in the long term.

Organisation
On a global basis, compensation packages for employees are 
guided by five broad principles:

(cid:282)  A total rewards approach 

In addition to a fixed base salary, incentives and benefits, 
non-financial remuneration such as continuing education, 

career progression and working environment are important 
elements of the ‘total rewards’ package.

(cid:282)  Market-linked 

Salaries, incentives and benefits are positioned and maintained 
at the level required to be competitive in local markets, generally 
between the local market median and upper quartile. Novo 
Nordisk also provides adequate life insurance, healthcare and 
pension provisions irrespective of local competitive practice.

(cid:282)  Performance-linked 

There is a transparent, direct link between employee performance 
and remuneration. Variable pay is used to reward performance, 
with base pay increases reflecting market conditions.

(cid:282)  Transparency 

Clear communication of remuneration programmes is a priority, 
and all costs associated with compensation practices are known 
and publicly disclosed.

(cid:282)  Flexibility 

Subject to corporate governance or legal requirements, flexibility 
is encouraged. Flexible solutions must be cost neutral to Novo 
Nordisk, and adequate levels of insurance must be maintained.

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Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     47

 
 
 
p Board of Directors

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Sten Scheibye
Formerly President and CEO of 
Coloplast A/S, Denmark (retired). 
Member of the Board of Novo 
Nordisk A/S in 2003, vice chairman 
in 2004 and chairman since 2006.

Management duties: Trade 
Council of Denmark (chair), the 
Danish Industry Foundation 

(chair), the Denmark-America Foundation (chair), the Board of 
Governors of the Technical University of Denmark (chair), the 
Danish Fulbright Commission (vice chair), member of the board of 
Gambro AB, Sweden, Rambøll Gruppen A/S, Dades A/S, RM 
Rich. Müller A/S, the Rich. Müller Foundation, the Aase and Ejnar 
Danielsen Foundation and the Knud Højgaards Foundation.

Special competences: Knowledge of the healthcare industry, 
particularly in relation to patients requiring chronic care, and 
managerial skills relating to international organisations.

and in-depth knowledge of strategy, sales, marketing and 
governance of major companies.

Education: AMP (1993) from Harvard Business School and MBA 
(1978) from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern 
University, both in the US. Law degree (1973) from Reims 
University and BA in Business Administration (1971) from École 
Supérieure de Commerce de Reims, both in France.

Henrik Gürtler
President and CEO of Novo A/S, 
Denmark, since 2000. Formerly 
member of Corporate 
Management of Novo Nordisk 
A/S with special responsibility for 
Corporate Staffs. Member of the 
Board of Novo Nordisk A/S since 
2005.

Management duties: Novozymes A/S (chair), Copenhagen 
Airports A/S (chair) and COWI Holding A/S (chair), all in Denmark.

Special competences: Knowledge of the Novo Group’s business 
and its policies, and knowledge of the international biotech industry.

Education: BComm (1983) from Copenhagen Business School, 
Denmark, PhD in Organic Chemistry (1981) and MSc in Chemistry 
and Physics (1978), both from the University of Aarhus, Denmark.

Education: MSc in Chemical Engineering (1976) from the 
Technical University of Denmark.

Göran A Ando
Formerly CEO of Celltech Group 
plc, UK (retired). Member of the 
Board of Novo Nordisk A/S in 2005 
and vice chairman since 2006.

Management duties: Symphogen 
A/S, Denmark (chair), S*Bio Pte 
Ltd, Singapore (vice chair), 
member of the board of Novo 

A/S, Denmark, EDBI Pte Ltd, Singapore, EUSA Pharma, UK, 
Chroma Therapeutics, UK, and Molecular Partners AG, 
Switzerland. Scientific Advisory Board, Southwest Michigan First, 
US (chair), Scientific Advisory Board of Bausch & Lomb, US, and 
senior adviser to Essex Woodlands Health Ventures Ltd., UK.

Special competences: Medical qualifications and extensive executive 
background within the international pharmaceutical industry.

Education: Specialism in general medicine (1978) and degree in 
medicine (1973), both from Linköping Medical University, Sweden.

Ulrik Hjulmand-Lassen
Senior IT Quality Advisor in IT 
Governance. Member of the 
Board of Novo Nordisk A/S since 
2010.

Education: CISM (2011). Trained 
as an MCSA/IT Security (2009) 
and as an ISO 9001 lead auditor 
(2006). BSc (1985) from the 

Technical University of Denmark/DIA-E.

Thomas Paul Koestler
Executive with Vatera Holdings 
LLC, US. Member of the Board of 
Novo Nordisk A/S since 2011.

Management duties: Member of 
the board of Momenta 
Pharmaceuticals Inc., US.

Special competences: Extensive 

Bruno Angelici
Formerly executive vice president 
of AstraZeneca (retired). Member 
of the Board of Novo Nordisk A/S 
since 2011.

Management duties: Member of 
the board of Smiths Group plc, 
UK, and Wolters Kluwer, NL, 
member of the Global Advisory 

R&D knowledge, both generally and within the field of regulatory 
affairs. Significant know-how about the pharmaceutical industry 
in general and how large international corporations operate. 
Additional knowledge of the US market.

Education: PhD in Medicine & Pathology (1982) from the Roswell 
Park Memorial Institute and BSc in Biology (1975) from Daemen 
College, both in the US.

Board at Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Japan.

Special competences: Extensive global experience with two 
companies in the fields of pharmaceuticals and medical devices 

48     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
Anne Marie Kverneland
Laboratory technician, currently 
working as a full-time shop 
steward. Member of the Board of 
Novo Nordisk A/S since 2000.

Education: Degree in medical 
laboratory technology (1980) 
from the Copenhagen University 
Hospital, Denmark.

Kurt Anker Nielsen
Formerly CFO and deputy CEO of 
Novo Nordisk A/S. CEO of Novo 
A/S, Denmark, from 2000 to 
2003 (retired). Member of the 
Board of Novo Nordisk A/S since 
2000. Chairman of the Audit 
Committee of Novo Nordisk A/S 
since 2004.

Management duties: Dalhoff Larsen & Horneman A/S (chair), 
Reliance A/S (chair), Collstrup’s Mindelegat (chair), Novozymes 
A/S (vice chair), and member of the board of the Novo Nordisk 
Foundation, Veloxis Pharmaceuticals A/S and Vestas Wind 
Systems A/S, all in Denmark. Chairman of the audit committees 
of Novozymes A/S, Veloxis Pharmaceuticals A/S and Vestas Wind 
Systems A/S, all in Denmark.

Special competences: In-depth knowledge of Novo Nordisk A/S 
and its businesses, working knowledge of the global 
pharmaceutical industry and experience in working with 
accounting, financial and capital market issues.

Education: MSc in Commerce and Business Administration (1972) 
from Copenhagen Business School, Denmark.

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Value Creation Investments Limited, Jersey. Chairman of the audit 
committees of Amer Sports Oyj and Rautaruukki Oyj and member 
of the audit committee of Neste Oil Oyj, all in Finland.

Special competences: International executive background and 
thorough understanding of managing finance operations in 
global organisations, in particular in relation to accounting, 
financial and capital markets issues, but also experience in private 
equity and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A).

Education: BA in Business Administration (1976) from Hanken 
School of Economics, Helsinki, Finland.

Stig Strøbæk
Electrician, currently working as a 
full-time shop steward. Member 
of the Board of Novo Nordisk A/S 
since 1998.

Management duties: Member of 
the board of the Novo Nordisk 
Foundation since 1998.

Education: Diploma as an electrician. Diploma in further training 
for board members (2003) from the Danish Employees’ Capital 
Pension Fund (LD).

Jørgen Wedel
Formerly executive vice president 
of the Gillette Company, US 
(retired). Member of the Board of 
Novo Nordisk A/S since 2000. 
Member of the Audit Committee 
of Novo Nordisk A/S since 2005.

Special competences: 
Background as a senior sales and 

Søren Thuesen Pedersen
Currently working as an external 
affairs director in Quality 
Intelligence. Member of the Board 
of Novo Nordisk A/S since 2006. 

Management duties: Member of 
the board of the Novo Nordisk 
Foundation since 2002.

marketing executive in a globally operating consumer-oriented 
company within the fast-moving consumer goods industry, as 
well as particular insight into the US market. In addition, 
competences in relation to auditing and accounting.

Education: MBA (1974) from the University of Wisconsin in the US 
and MSc in Commerce and Business Administration (1972) from 
Copenhagen Business School, Denmark, majoring in accounting 
and financing.

Education: BSc in Chemical Engineering (1988) from the 
Engineering Academy of Denmark.

Hannu Ryöppönen
Formerly CFO and deputy CEO of 
Stora Enso Oyj, Finland (retired). 
Member of the Board of Novo 
Nordisk A/S since 2009. Member 
of the Audit Committee of Novo 
Nordisk A/S since 2009.

Management duties: Private 
equity funds Altor 2003 GP 

Limited (chair), Altor Fund II GP Limited (chair) and Altor III GP 
Limited (chair), all in Jersey, Rautaruukki Oyj (vice chair), member 
of the board of Tiimari Oyj, Neste Oil Oyj and Amer Sports Oyj, all 
in Finland, Korsnäs AB, Sweden, and the private equity fund 

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     49

 
 
 
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Name (male/female) 
Sten Scheibye (m) 
Göran A Ando (m) 
Bruno Angelici (m) 
Henrik Gürtler (m) 
Ulrik Hjulmand-Lassen3 (m) 
Thomas Paul Koestler (m) 
Anne Marie Kverneland3 (f) 
Kurt Anker Nielsen (m) 
Søren Thuesen Pedersen3 (m) 
Hannu Ryöppönen (m) 
Stig Strøbæk3 (m) 
Jørgen Wedel (m) 

First elected 
2003 
2005 
2011 
2005 
2010 
2011 
2000 
2000 
2006 
2009 
1998 
2000 

Term 
2012 
2012 
2012 
2012 
2014 
2012 
2014 
2012 
2014 
2012 
2014 
2012 

Nationality 
Danish 
Swedish 
French 
Danish 
Danish 
American 
Danish 
Danish 
Danish 
Finnish 
Danish 
Danish 

Date of birth 
3 Oct 1951 
6 Mar 1949 
20 Apr 1947 
11 Aug 1953 
28 Apr 1962 
11 Jun 1951 
24 Jul 1956 
8 Aug 1945 
18 Dec 1964 
25 Mar 1952 
24 Jan 1964 
10 Aug 1948 

Independence1
Independent
Not independent2
Independent
Not independent2
Not independent
Independent
Not independent
Not independent2,4
Not independent
Independent4,5
Not independent
Independent4,5

1. As designated by NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen in accordance with section 5.4.1 of Recommendations on Corporate Governance.
2. Member of Management or the Board of Novo A/S or the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
3. Elected by employees of Novo Nordisk.
4. Mr Nielsen, Mr Ryöppönen and Mr Wedel qualify as independent Audit Committee members as defined by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
5. Mr Ryöppönen and Mr Wedel qualify as independent Audit Committee members as defined under part 8 of the Danish Act on Approved Auditors and Audit Firms. 

Organisational structure: Senior Management Board

Novo Nordisk
Lars Rebien Sørensen

Research & Development
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen 
4,079 employees

Operations
Kåre Schultz
23,150 employees

Finance, Legal and IT
Jesper Brandgaard
4,294 employees1

Corporate Relations
Lise Kingo
1,107 employees1

Diabetes Research Unit
Peter Kurtzhals

Global Marketing
Jakob Riis

Corporate Finance
Lars Green

Business Assurance
Kim Bundegaard

Legal Affairs
Ole F Ramsby

IT & Corporate 
Development
Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen

Global Quality
Lars Guldbæk Karlsen

Corporate People 
& Organisation
Lars Christian Lassen

Biopharmaceuticals 
Research Unit
Per Falk

Haemophilia R&D Portfolio
Anne Prener

Device R&D
Jesper Kløve

CMC Supply
Jesper Bøving

Global Development
Peter Kristensen

Regulatory Affairs
Peter Bonne Eriksen

North America
Jerzy Gruhn

Europe
Martin Soeters

International Operations
Jesper Høiland

Japan & Korea
Claus Eilersen

Region China
Global Marketing
Ronald Christie 
Jakob Riis

Product Supply
Per Valstorp

Biopharmaceuticals
Flemming Dahl

Diabetes API
Jan Hoff2

Diabetes Finished Products
Henrik Wulff

Devices & Supply 
Chain Management
Susanne Hundsbæk-Pedersen

1.  Employee total includes those who work for NNE Pharmaplan A/S, NNIT A/S and Steno Diabetes Center A/S. Morten Nielsen (NNE Pharmaplan) and Per Kogut (NNIT) are also members of the Senior 

Management Board.
2.  From 1 January 2012.

50     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
Executive Management

Lars Rebien Sørensen
Lars Rebien Sørensen joined Novo 
Nordisk’s Enzymes Marketing in 
1982. Over the years, he has 
completed several overseas 
postings, including in the Middle 
East and the US. Mr Sørensen 
was appointed a member of 
Corporate Management in May 
1994, and in December 1994 he 

was given special responsibility within Corporate Management 
for Health Care. He was appointed president and chief executive 
officer in November 2000.

Board positions: DONG Energy A/S and Danmarks Nationalbank, 
both in Denmark, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., US, and member 
of the Bertelsmann AG Supervisory Board, Germany.

Education: BSc in International Economics (1983) from Copenhagen 
Business School, Denmark, and MSc in Forestry (1981) from the 
Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University (now the Faculty of 
Science of the University of Copenhagen), Denmark.

Jesper Brandgaard
Jesper Brandgaard joined Novo 
Nordisk in 1999 as senior vice 
president of Corporate Finance. 
He was appointed executive vice 
president and chief financial 
officer in November 2000.

Board positions: SimCorp A/S 
(chair), NNE Pharmaplan A/S 

(chair) and NNIT A/S (chair), all in Denmark.

Education: MBA (1995) and MSc in Economics and Auditing 
(1990) from Copenhagen Business School, Denmark.

Lise Kingo
Lise Kingo joined Novo Industry 
A/S in 1988 and worked over the 
years to build up the company’s 
Triple Bottom Line approach. In 
1999, Ms Kingo was appointed 
senior vice president, Stakeholder 
Relations. In 2002, she was 
appointed executive vice 
president and chief of staffs in 

Novo Nordisk, assuming global responsibility for Quality, Human 
Resources, Business Assurance, Corporate Communications, 
Corporate Branding, Public Affairs and Corporate Sustainability. 
She is adjunct professor at the Medical Faculty, Vrije Universiteit, 
Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Board position: Steno Diabetes Center A/S (chair).

Education: MSc (Hons) in Responsibility and Business Practice 
(2000) from the University of Bath, UK, BCom in Marketing 
Economics (1991) from Copenhagen Business School, Denmark, 
and BA in Religions and Ancient Greek Art (1986) from the 
University of Aarhus, Denmark.

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Kåre Schultz
Kåre Schultz joined Novo Nordisk 
in 1989 as an economist in Health 
Care, Economy & Planning. In 
November 2000, he was 
appointed chief of staffs. In March 
2002, he took over the position of 
executive vice president and chief 
operating officer.

Board positions: Royal Unibrew A/S (chair) and LEGO A/S, both in 
Denmark.

Education: MSc in Economics (1987) from the University of 
Copenhagen, Denmark.

Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen 
joined Novo Nordisk in 1991. He 
was appointed executive vice 
president and chief science officer 
in November 2000. He sits on the 
editorial boards of international 
journals. He is a former president 
of the National Academy of 
Technical Sciences (ATV), 

Denmark. Since 2000 he has served as adjunct professor of 
pharmacology at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University 
(now the Faculty of Science of the University of Copenhagen), 
Denmark.

Board position: Cellartis AB, Sweden, and the University of 
Copenhagen, Denmark.1

Education: DSc (1991), PhD (1989) and DVM (1986) from the 
Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University (now the Faculty of 
Science of the University of Copenhagen), Denmark. 

1.  From 1 January 2012.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     51

 
 
 
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Shares 
and capital 
structure

We aim to communicate openly with shareholders about the 
company’s financial and operational development as well as 
strategies and targets. Through active dialogue, we seek to 
obtain fair and efficient pricing of Novo Nordisk shares.

To keep investors updated on financial and operating performance 
as well as the progress of clinical development programmes, Novo 
Nordisk hosts conference calls with Executive Management 
following key events and the release of financial results, which 
are also accessible by webcast. Executive Management and 
Investor Relations also travel extensively to ensure that all investors 
with a major holding of Novo Nordisk shares can meet with Novo 
Nordisk on a regular basis and that a number of smaller investors 
and potential investors also have access to the company’s 
management. 

Roadshows are primarily held in major European and North 
American financial centres. In addition, a wide range of other 
investor activities are held during the year. In 2011, meetings with 
investor groups were held in Brazil, China, Denmark, India, 
Switzerland and the US. Investors and analysts are also invited to 
join presentations of the most recent scientific results in connection 
with the two major scientific diabetes conferences, the American 
Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study 
of Diabetes.

We aim to communicate openly 
with shareholders about the 
company’s financial development.

Share price performance
Novo Nordisk’s share price increased by 4.9% from its 2010 close 
of 629 Danish kroner to its 31 December 2011 close of 660 kroner. 
This was more than the 2011 performance of the NASDAQ OMX 
Copenhagen 20 Index, which decreased by 14.8% in 2011. In 2010, 
Novo Nordisk’s share price and the NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen 
20 Index increased by 89.5% and 35.6%, respectively. 

In 2011, Novo Nordisk’s share price increased slightly less than the 
MSCI Europe Health Care Index, which increased by 10.0% 
measured in Danish kroner. Measured in US dollars, the price 
of Novo Nordisk B shares increased by 2.5%, which is below the 
dollar gain of 10% for the MSCI US Health Care Index. We believe 
the development of the company’s share price is a reflection 
of our leading position in the growing diabetes care market, 
coupled with a continued improvement in operating performance 
and encouraging progress in research and development. 

Factors believed to have positively contributed to share price 

52     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

performance in 2011 include solid operating performance driven 
by strong sales growth and continuous productivity increases, which 
led to an improvement in the operating margin of 2.6% in 2011 
up from 31.1% in 2010. Significant progress in the clinical develop-
ment pipeline has also been positive for Novo Nordisk. Sales growth 
was driven by the successful global rollout of Victoza® and continued 
penetration of our modern insulins.

The regulatory submission of the two new-generation insulins, 
Degludec and DegludecPlus, represented a historic milestone for 
Novo Nordisk, and is believed to have had a positive impact on 
the share price. Other notable examples of progress in the clinical 
development pipeline included initiation of phase 3 trials for a 
fixed combination of insulin degludec and liraglutide, a fast-acting 
treatment for haemophilia patients with inhibitors, a long-acting 
factor IX compound for the treatment of haemophilia B, and the 
use of liraglutide for obesity. On the negative side Novo Nordisk 
experienced increased competitive pressure, especially in the US 
market, in the first half of 2011.

Capital structure
The Board of Directors believes that the current capital and share 
structure of Novo Nordisk serves the interests of the shareholders 
and the company. Our guiding principle is that any excess capital, 
after the funding of organic growth opportunities and potential 
acquisitions, is returned to investors. We apply a pharmaceutical 
industry payout ratio to dividend payments complemented by 
share repurchase programmes. As decided at the 2011 Annual 

Price development 
and monthly turn-
over of Novo 
Nordisk’s B shares
on NASDAQ OMX 
Copenhagen 2011

  Novo Nordisk’s B share
  closing prices in DKK (left)
■  Turnover of B shares 
in DKK billion (right)

DKK

1,000

DKK billion

800

600

400

200

0

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

35

28

21

14

7

0

Index: 1 January 2007 = 100

Price development 
of Novo Nordisk’s 
B shares relative to
the MSCI Europe
Health Care Index 
measured in DKK

  Novo Nordisk’s B

shares (prices in DKK)
  MSCI Europe Health

Care Index

500

400

300

200

100

0

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Index: 1 January 2007 = 100

Price development 
of Novo Nordisk’s 
B shares relative
to the MSCI US
Health Care Index 
measured in USD

  Novo Nordisk’s B

shares (prices in USD)

  MSCI US Health

Care Index

500

400

300

200

100

0

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

 
 
 
Dividend payments
and payout ratio

■ Dividend for the year (left)

Payout ratio (right)

1. 2007 and 2008 payout ratio adjusted

for the AERx® discontinuation cost and the
 divestment of Dako’s business activities.

2. 2010 payout ratio adjusted

for ZymoGenetics divestment.

3. Pending approval at the 2012 Annual

General Meeting.

DKK

15

12

9

6

3

0

%

55

50

45

40

35

20071

20081

2009

20102 2011E3

Breakdown of shareholders 
% of capital (% of votes)

■ Novo A/S, Bagsværd,

Denmark 25.5% (73.2%)

■ Novo Nordisk A/S 4.3% (0.0%)
■ Other 70.2% (26.8%)

Geographic distribution 
of share capital* 
% of capital

■ Denmark 43%
■ North America 32%
■ UK 13%
■ Other 12%

 * Calculated using shareholders’ registered home
 country not, as in 2010, based on the location

   of the bank holding shares in custody.

General Meeting, a reduction of the company’s B share capital, 
corresponding to approximately 3.3% of the total share capital, 
was implemented in May 2011 by cancellation of treasury shares. 
This enables Novo Nordisk to continue to buy back shares without 
exceeding the limit for a holding of treasury shares of 10% of the 
totalt share capital. During 2011 and January 2012, Novo Nordisk 
repurchased shares worth 12 billion Danish kroner, compared to 
9.5 billion kroner in 2010. 

For the coming 12 months, Novo Nordisk has initiated a new share 
repurchase programme with an expected total repurchase value 
of B shares amounting to a cash value of 12 billion kroner. Since 
2008, the share repurchase programme has primarily been 
conducted in accordance with the provisions of European 
Commission Regulation No 2273/2003 of 22 December 2003, 
also known as the Safe Harbour Regulation. This programme 
gives the selected financial institutions the mandate to purchase 
shares independently of Novo Nordisk. 

At the 2012 annual general meeting, the Board of Directors will 
propose a further reduction of the company’s B share capital, 
corresponding to approximately 3.4% of the total share capital, by 
cancellation of 20 million treasury shares. After implementation of 
the share capital reduction, the company’s share capital will amount 
to DKK 560,000,000 divided into an A share capital of DKK 
107,487,200 and a B share capital of DKK 452,512,800.

Share capital and ownership
Novo Nordisk’s total share capital of 580,000,000 Danish kroner 
is divided into A share capital of nominally 107,487,200 kroner 
and B share capital of nominally 472,512,800 kroner, of which 
24,440,186 kroner is held as treasury shares (figures as of 31 
December 2011). The company’s A shares (nominal value 1 krone) 
are not listed and are held by Novo A/S, a Danish public limited 
liability company that is 100% owned by the Novo Nordisk 
Foundation. More information on share capital is included in note 
18 on p 75. According to the Articles of Association of the 
Foundation, the A shares cannot be divested by Novo A/S or the 
Foundation. Novo A/S also held 40,412,800 kroner of B share 
capital (figures as of 31 December 2011). Each holding of 1 krone 
of the A share capital carries 1,000 votes. Each holding of 1 krone 
of the B share capital carries 100 votes. With 25.5% of the total 
share capital, Novo A/S controls 73.2% of the total number of votes, 
excluding treasury shares. 

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Our guiding principle is that 
excess capital, after the funding 
of organic growth opportunities, 
is returned to investors.

The total market value of Novo Nordisk’s B shares excluding 
treasury shares was 296 billion kroner at the end of 2011. Novo 
Nordisk’s B shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen 
and on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of ADRs. The B 
shares are traded in units of 1 krone and the ratio of Novo Nordisk’s 
B shares to ADRs is 1:1. The B shares are issued to the bearer but 
may, on request, be registered in the holder’s name in Novo 
Nordisk’s register of shareholders. As Novo Nordisk B shares are 
in bearer form, no official record of all shareholders exists. Based 
on available sources of information about the company’s share-
holders as of 31 December 2011, it is estimated that shares were 
distributed as shown in the charts on this page. At the end of 
2011, the free float of listed B shares was 70.3%.

Form 20-F
We expect to file our Form 20-F Report for 2011 with the United 
States Securities and Exchange Commission in February 2012. 
The report can be downloaded from novonordisk.com/investors.

Payment of dividends
Shareholders’ enquiries concerning dividend payments, transfer 
of share certificates, consolidation of shareholder accounts and 
tracking of lost shares should be addressed to Novo Nordisk’s 
transfer agents (see back cover). Novo Nordisk does not pay a 
dividend on its holding of treasury shares. As illustrated in the 
figure above, Novo Nordisk has consistently increased both the 
payout ratio and the dividend paid over the last five years. The 
dividend for 2010 paid in March 2011 was 10.00 Danish kroner 
per share of 1 krone.

At the 2012 annual general meeting, the Board of Directors will 
propose a 40% increase in the dividend for 2011 to 14.00 Danish 
kroner per share of 1 krone.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     53

 
 
 
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The proposed dividend payments for Novo Nordisk shares are 
shown in the table below:

Proposed dividend payment for 2011

A shares of DKK 1 

B shares of DKK 1 

ADRs

DKK 14.00  

DKK 14.00  

DKK 14.00 

Analyst coverage
Our company is currently covered by 40 analysts, including the 
major global investment banks that regularly produce research 
reports about Novo Nordisk. A list of analysts covering Novo 
Nordisk can be found at novonordisk.com/investors.

Internet
Our homepage for investors is novonordisk.com/investors. It 
includes historical and updated information about Novo Nordisk’s 
activities: press releases from 1995 onwards, financial and 
non-financial results, a calendar of investor-relevant events, 
investor presentations, background information and recent 
annual reports.

Financial calendar 2012

Annual general meeting 21 March 2012

Dividend 
Ex-dividend 
Record date 
Payment 

B shares 
22 March 2012 
26 March 2012 
27 March 2012 

ADRs
22 March 2012
26 March 2012
3 April 2012

Announcement of financial results
First three months  
Half year 
First nine months  
Full year 

27 April 2012
 9 August 2012
31 October 2012
 31 January 2013

54     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
1
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Consolidated
financial,
social and
environmental
statements
2011

Consolidated financial statements
56  Income statement and Statement of comprehensive income
57  Balance sheet
58  Statement of cash flows
59  Statement of changes in equity
60  Notes to the Consolidated financial statements

Consolidated social statement 
(supplementary information)
91  Statement of social performance
92  Notes to the Consolidated social statement

Consolidated environmental statement 
(supplementary information)
97  Statement of environmental performance
98  Notes to the Consolidated environmental statement

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     55

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income statement and Statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December

DKK million 

Income statement

Sales  
Cost of goods sold 

Gross profit 

Sales and distribution costs 
Research and development costs 
Administrative expenses 
Licence fees and other operating income, net 

Operating profit 

Share of profit/(loss) of associated companies, net of tax 
Financial income 
Financial expenses 

Profit before income taxes 

Income taxes 

Net profit for the year 

Earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share (DKK) 
Diluted earnings per share (DKK) 

Note 

2011 

2010 

2009

2, 3 
2, 4, 6 

66,346 
12,589 

60,776 
11,680 

51,078
10,438

53,757 

49,096 

40,640

2, 4, 6 
2, 4, 6 
2, 4, 5, 6 
2, 4, 6 

19,004 
9,628 
3,245 
494 

18,195 
9,602 
3,065 
657 

15,420
7,864
2,764
341

22,374 

18,891 

14,933

13 
7 
8 

(4) 
514 
959 

1,070 
382 
2,057 

(55)
375
1,265

21,925 

18,286 

13,988

9 

4,828 

3,883 

3,220

17,097 

14,403 

10,768

10 
10 

30.24 
29.99 

24.81 
24.60 

17.97
17.82

Statement of comprehensive income

Net profit for the year 

17,097 

14,403 

10,768

Other comprehensive income:
Realisation of previously deferred (gains)/losses on cash flow hedges 
to Income statement 
Deferred gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges arising during the period  
Exchange rate adjustments of investments in subsidiaries  
Deferred gains/(losses) on equity investments  
Share of other comprehensive income of associated companies, net of tax  
Other  
Tax on other comprehensive income, income/(expense)  

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax 

658 
(1,170) 
(173) 
8 
– 
(28) 
190 

(515) 

(422) 
(643) 
300 
(14) 
(9) 
27 
346 

(415) 

900
352
528
(1)
9
10
(25)

1,773

9 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

16,582 

13,988 

12,541

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56     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance sheet at 31 December

DKK million 

Assets

Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Investments in associated companies 
Deferred income tax assets 
Other financial assets 

Total non-current assets 

Inventories 
Trade receivables 
Tax receivables 
Other receivables and prepayments 
Marketable securities  
Derivative financial instruments 
Cash at bank and in hand 

Total current assets 

Total assets 

Equity and liabilities

Share capital 
Treasury shares 
Retained earnings 
Other reserves 

Total equity 

Loans 
Deferred income tax liabilities 
Retirement benefit obligations 
Provisions 

Total non-current liabilities 

Current debt   
Trade payables 
Tax payables 
Other liabilities 
Derivative financial instruments 
Provisions 

Total current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

Note 

2011 

2010

11 
12 
13 
20 
14 

15 
14, 16 

14, 17 
14 
14, 28 
14 

18 
18 

14, 19 
20 
21 
22 

14, 19 
14 

14, 23 
14, 19, 28 
22 

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l

1,489  
20,931 
39 
2,414 
234 

1,458
20,507
43
1,847
254

25,107 

24,109

9,433 
9,349 
883 
2,376 
4,094 
48 
13,408 

9,689
8,500
650
2,403
3,926
108
12,017

39,591 

37,293

64,698 

61,402

580 
(24) 
37,111 
(219) 

600
(28)
36,097
296

37,448 

36,965

502 
3,206 
439 
2,324 

6,471 

351 
3,291 
1,171 
8,534 
1,492 
5,940 

504
2,865
569
2,023

5,961

562
2,906
1,252
7,954
1,158
4,644

20,779 

18,476

27,250 

24,437

64,698 

61,402

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 December

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DKK million 

Net profit for the year 

Adjustment for non-cash items 
Change in working capital 
Interest received 
Interest paid 
Income taxes paid 

Net cash generated from operating activities 

Proceeds from the divestment of ZymoGenetics, Inc. 
Purchase of intangible assets and other financial assets 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Net change in marketable securities 

Net cash used in investing activities 

Repayment of loans 
Purchase of treasury shares, net 
Dividends paid 

Net cash used in financing activities 

Net cash generated from activities 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 
Exchange gains/(losses) on cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 

Additional information:1
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 
Marketable securities at the end of the year 
Undrawn committed credit facilities2 

Financial resources at the end of the year 

Net cash generated from operating activities 
Net cash used in investing activities  
Net change in marketable securities 

Free cash flow 

Note 

2011 

2010 

2009

24 
25 

9 

11, 14 

12 

18 
10 

26 

26 
14 

17,097 

14,403 

10,768

9,117 
434 
332 
(215) 
(5,391) 

8,449 
297 
218 
(252) 
(3,436) 

6,701
(279)
284
(98)
(1,998)

21,374 

19,679 

15,378

– 
(259) 
70 
(3,073) 
(197) 

1,155 
(513) 
68 
(3,376) 
(2,913) 

–
(415)
1
(2,632)
–

(3,459) 

(5,579) 

(3,046)

(507) 
(10,595) 
(5,700) 

– 
(8,820) 
(4,400) 

–
(6,395)
(3,650)

(16,802) 

(13,220) 

(10,045)

1,113 

880 

11,960 
(16) 

11,034 
46 

2,287

8,726
21

13,057 

11,960 

11,034

13,057 
4,094 
4,832 

11,960 
3,926 
4,473 

11,034
1,013
4,465

21,983 

20,359 

16,512

21,374 
(3,459) 
197 

19,679 
(5,579) 
2,913 

15,378
(3,046)
–

18,112 

17,013 

12,332

1. Additional non-IFRS measures. Please refer to p 65 for definition.
2. At year-end, the Group had an undrawn committed credit facility amounting to DKK 4,832 million (DKK 4,473 million in 2010). The undrawn committed credit facility is a  

EUR 650 million (EUR 600 million in 2010 and 2009) facility committed by a portfolio of international banks. The facility matures in 2016.

58     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of changes in equity at 31 December

Share 
capital 

Treasury 
shares 

Retained 
earnings 

  Other reserves 

Exchange 
rate 
adjust- 
ment 

Cash 
flow  
hedges 

Tax and  
other 
adjust- 
ments 

Total

Total 
other
reserves

DKK million 

2011

Balance at the beginning of the year 

600 

(28) 

36,097 

571 

(672) 

397 

296 

36,965

Net profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income for the year 

17,097 

(173) 

(512) 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

17,097 

(173) 

(512) 

170 

170 

(515) 

17,097
(515)

(515) 

16,582

Transactions with owners:
Dividends (note 10) 
Share-based payments (note 29) 
Purchase of treasury shares (note 18) 
Sale of treasury shares (note 18) 
Tax on sale of treasury shares 
Reduction of the B share capital (note 18) 

Balance at the end of the year 

(20) 

580 

(5,700) 
319 
(10,821) 
242 
(123) 

(18) 
2 

20 

(5,700)
319
(10,839)
244
(123)
–

(24) 

37,111 

398 

(1,184) 

567 

(219) 

37,448

Share 
capital 

Treasury 
shares 

Retained 
earnings 

  Other reserves 

Exchange 
rate 
adjust- 
ment 

Cash 
flow  
hedges 

Tax and  
other 
adjust- 
ments 

Total

Total 
other
reserves

DKK million 

2010

Balance at the beginning of the year 

620 

(32) 

34,435 

271 

393 

47 

711 

35,734

Net profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income for the year 

14,403 

300 

(1,065) 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

14,403 

300 

(1,065) 

350 

350 

(415) 

14,403
(415)

(415) 

13,988

Transactions with owners:
Dividends (note 10) 
Share-based payments (note 29) 
Purchase of treasury shares (note 18) 
Sale of treasury shares (note 18) 
Reduction of the B share capital (note 18) 

Balance at the end of the year 

(20) 

600 

(4,400) 
463 
(9,478) 
674 

(20) 
4 
20 

(4,400)
463
(9,498)
678
–

(28) 

36,097 

571 

(672) 

397 

296 

36,965

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Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes to the Consolidated financial statements

1   Basis of preparation of the Consolidated 
     financial statements

The Consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), as well as in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as endorsed by the 
European Union. 

Furthermore, the Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with 
additional Danish disclosure requirements for the annual reports of listed 
companies. 

The Consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical 
cost basis except for the revaluation of available-for-sale financial assets 
such as equity investments and marketable securities measured at fair value 
through Other comprehensive income and derivative financial instruments 
measured at fair value through the Income statement.

Key accounting estimates and assumptions

The use of reasonable estimates is an essential part of the preparation of 
the Consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS as issued 
by the IASB and IFRS as endorsed by the European Union. Management is 
required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the application  
of accounting policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales, 
costs, cash flow and related disclosures at the date(s) of the Consolidated 
financial statements.

Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other 
assumptions that are held to be reasonable under the circumstances. These 
form the basis for making judgements about the reported financial position 
and result of operations and cash flow that are not readily apparent from 
other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The esti-
mates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis and, 
if necessary, changes are recognised in the period in which the estimate is 
revised. 

Management regards the following to be the key accounting estimates and 
assumptions used in the preparation of the Consolidated financial state-
ments.

Sales rebates and provisions
Novo Nordisk has provisions and accruals for expected sales rebates, whole-
saler charge-backs and other rebates, including Medicaid in the United 
States and similar rebates in other countries. 

Such estimates are based on analyses of existing contractual or legal obliga-
tions, historical trends and the Group’s experience. They are calculated 
on the basis of a percentage of sales for each product as defined by the 
contracts with the various customer groups.

Sales discounts and sales rebates are predominantly issued in Region  
North America. In that region, significant sales rebates and discounts com-
prise rebates from sales covered by Medicare and Medicaid, the US state 
and federal programmes for public healthcare insurance.

Provisions for Medicaid and Medicare rebates have been calculated using  
a combination of historical experience, product and population growth,  
price increases, the impact of contracting strategies and specific terms in 
the individual agreements. For Medicaid, the calculation of rebates involves 
 interpretation of relevant regulations that are subject to challenge or 
change in interpretative guidance by government authorities. Although  
accruals are made for Medicaid and Medicare rebates at the time sales are  
recorded, the actual rebates related to the specific sale will typically be 
invoiced to Novo Nordisk up to six months later. Due to the time lag, the 
 rebate adjustments to sales in any particular period may incorporate  
revisions of accruals for prior periods.

Customer rebates are offered to a number of managed healthcare plans. 
These rebate programmes imply that the customer receives a rebate after 
attaining certain performance parameters relating to product purchases, 
formulary status and pre-established market share milestones relative  
to competitors. Since they are contractually agreed upon, rebates are 

60     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

estimated according to the specific terms in each agreement, historical 
 experience, anticipated channel mix, product growth rates and market 
share information. Novo Nordisk considers the sales performance of pro-
ducts subject to managed healthcare rebates and other contract discounts, 
and adjusts the provision periodically to reflect actual experience. 

Wholesaler charge-backs relate to contractual arrangements existing 
between Novo Nordisk and indirect customers, mainly in the US, whereby 
products are sold at prices lower than the list price charged to wholesalers. 
A wholesaler charge-back represents the difference between the invoice 
price to the wholesaler and the indirect customer’s contract price. Provisions 
are calculated for estimated charge-backs using a combination of factors 
such as historical experience, current wholesaler inventory levels, contract 
terms and the value of claims received but not yet processed. Wholesaler 
charge-backs are generally settled within one to three months of incurring 
the liability.

The carrying amount of provisions for sales rebates is DKK 5,666 million as 
at 31 December 2011. Please refer to note 22 for further information on 
provisions for sales rebates. Furthermore, please refer to note 3 for a gross-
to-net sales reconciliation.

Novo Nordisk considers the provision established for sales rebates to  
be reasonable and appropriate based on currently available information. 
However, the actual amount of rebates and discounts may differ from  
the amounts estimated by Management as more detailed information 
becomes available. 

Indirect production costs (IPCs)
Production costs for work in progress and finished goods include IPCs such 
as employee costs, depreciation, maintenance etc.

IPCs are measured based on a standard cost method which is reviewed 
regularly to ensure relevant measures of utilisation, production lead time 
and other relevant factors. Changes in the parameters for calculation  
of IPCs could have an impact on the gross margin and the overall valuation 
of inventories. 

The carrying amount of IPCs on inventory is DKK 5,125 million as at  
31 December 2011. Please refer to note 15 for further information.

Novo Nordisk considers the carrying amount of IPCs on inventory to be 
reasonable and appropriate based on currently available information. How-
ever, the actual amount of IPCs may differ from the amounts estimated by 
Management as more detailed information becomes available.

Allowances for doubtful trade receivables
Trade receivables are stated at amortised cost less allowances for potential 
losses on doubtful trade receivables. 

Novo Nordisk maintains allowances for doubtful trade receivables in anti-
cipation of estimated losses resulting from the subsequent inability of 
customers to make required payments. If the financial circumstances of the 
customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability  
to make payments, additional allowances could be required in future 
periods. Management analyses trade receivables and examines historical 
bad debt, customer concentrations, customer creditworthiness, current 
 economic trends and changes in customer payment terms when evaluating 
the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful trade receivables. 

As a result of the generally troubled economic climate in Europe and  
thereby also the Eurozone countries, Novo Nordisk has increased its focus 
on the development in the outstanding trade receivables from this region. 
Payment history as well as current economic conditions and indicators are 
taken into account in the valuation of trade receivables. Please refer to  
note 2 for a geographical split of trade receivables and the allowance for 
trade receivables.

The carrying amount of trade receivables is DKK 9,349 million and allow-
ances for doubtful trade receivables is DKK 892 million as at 31 December 
2011. Please refer to note 16 for further information.

Provisions and contingencies
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities 
Novo Nordisk is subject to income taxes around the world. Significant 
judgement is required in determining the worldwide accrual for income 
taxes, deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and provision for uncertain  

 
 
 
 
 
 
tax positions. Novo Nordisk recognises deferred income tax assets if it 
is probable that sufficient taxable income will be available in the future 
against which the temporary differences and unused tax losses can be 
utilised. Management has considered future taxable income in assessing 
whether deferred income tax assets should be recognised. 

The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets and deferred income  
tax liabilities is DKK 2,414 million and DKK 3,206 million respectively as at  
31 December 2011. Please refer to note 20 for further information. 

Legal disputes
Provisions for legal disputes consist of various types of provisions linked to 
ongoing legal disputes. Management makes judgements about provisions 
and contingencies, including the probability of pending and potential future 
litigation outcomes which by their very nature are dependent on inherently 
uncertain future events. When determining likely outcomes of litigations  
etc, Management considers the evaluation of external counsels input about 
each case, as well as known outcomes in case law.

The carrying amount of provisions for legal disputes is DKK 1,554 million as 
at 31 December 2011. Please refer to note 22 for further information and  
note 31 for a description of significant pending litigations.

Although Management believes that the total provisions for legal pro-
ceedings are adequate based upon currently available information, there 
can be no assurance that there will not be any changes in facts or matters 
or that any future lawsuits, claims, proceedings or investigations will not  
be material.

Financial accounting policies

The principal accounting policies set out below have been applied con-
sistently in the preparation of the Consolidated financial statements for all 
the years presented.

Adoption of new and revised IFRSs
Novo Nordisk has adopted all new or amended and revised accounting 
standards and interpretations (‘IFRSs’) issued by IASB and IFRSs endorsed  
by the European Union effective for the accounting year 2011. Based on  
an analysis by Novo Nordisk, the application of the new IFRSs has not had 
a material impact on the Consolidated financial statements in 2011 and 
we do not anticipate any significant impact on future periods from the 
 adoption of these new IFRSs.

New IFRSs that have been issued but not yet come into effect
In addition to the above, IASB has issued a number of new or amended  
and revised accounting standards and interpretations (IFRSs) that have 
been  endorsed by the European Union but not yet come into effect. Novo 
Nordisk has thoroughly assessed the impact of these IFRSs which are not 
yet effective and determined that we do not anticipate any significant 
impact on the Consolidated financial statements from the adoption of these 
standards. 

IASB has issued IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ which is required to be 
adopted by 1 January 2015. This is part of the IASB’s project to replace  
IAS 39 and the new standard will substantially change the classification and  
measurement of financial instruments and hedging requirements. Further-
more, IASB has issued an amendment to IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’ that 
makes changes to the recognition and measurement of defined benefit 
pension expenses and termination benefits, and to the disclosure of all 
employee benefits. The amendment is required to be adopted by 1 January  
2013. Novo Nordisk has assessed the impact of the standard and the 
amendment and determined that they will not have any significant impact 
on the Consolidated financial statements. The new standards and the 
amendment have not yet been endorsed by the European Union.

Defining materiality
Novo Nordisk’s Consolidated financial statements are a result of processing   
large numbers of transactions and aggregating those transactions into 
classes according to their nature or function. When aggregated, the trans  - 
actions are presented separately in classes of similar items in the con-
solidated financial statements. If a line item is not individually material, it is 
aggregated with other items of a similar nature in the statements or in the 
notes. 

Throughout IFRS there are substantial disclosure requirements. Novo 
 Nordisk provides specific disclosures required by an IFRS unless the informa-
tion is immaterial or not applicable.

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Principles of consolidation
The Consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements 
of Novo Nordisk A/S and entities controlled by Novo Nordisk A/S. The results 
of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the 
consolidated income statement from the effective date of acquisition and 
up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate. Comparative figures are 
not restated for disposed or acquired companies.

Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of sub-
sidiaries to bring their accounting policies in line with Novo Nordisk policies. 
All intra-Group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated 
in full when consolidated.

When Novo Nordisk loses control of a subsidiary, the profit or loss on  
disposal is calculated as the difference between (i) the aggregate of the fair  
value of the consideration received and the fair value of any retained 
 interest and (ii) the previous carrying amount of the assets (including good-
will) and liabilities of the subsidiary.

Translation of foreign currencies
Functional and presentation currency
Items included in the financial statements of each of Novo Nordisk’s entities 
are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in 
which the entity operates (functional currency). The Consolidated financial 
statements are presented in Danish kroner (DKK), which is the functional 
and presentation currency of the Parent company.

Translation of transactions and balances
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency 
using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign 
exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such trans-
actions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary 
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the 
Income statement.

Translation differences on non-monetary items, such as financial assets 
classified as available for sale, are included in the fair value reserve in Other 
comprehensive income. 

Translation of Group companies
Financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are translated into Danish 
 kroner at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the reporting period 
for assets and liabilities, and at average exchange rates for income state-
ment items. 

All effects of exchange rate adjustment are recognised in the Income state-
ment, with the exception of exchange gains and losses arising from:

•  the translation of foreign subsidiaries’ net assets at the beginning of the 

year at the exchange rates at the end of the reporting period

•  the translation of foreign subsidiaries’ income statements using average 
exchange rates, whereas balance sheet items are translated using the 
exchange rates prevailing at the end of the reporting period

•  the translation of non-current intra-Group receivables that are considered 

to be an addition to net investments in subsidiaries
•  the translation of investments in associated companies.

The above exchange rate gains and losses are recognised in Other com-
prehensive income.

Sales and revenue recognition
Sales are measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receiv-
able. Sales are reduced for realised and estimated customer returns, rebates 
and other similar allowances.

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when all the following condi-
tions are satisfied:

•  Novo Nordisk has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and 

 rewards of ownership of the goods.

•  Novo Nordisk retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the 
degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the 
goods sold.

•  The amount of revenue can be measured reliably.
•  It is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction 

will flow to the entity.

•  The costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be 

measured reliably.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     61

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Provisions for rebates and discounts granted to government agencies, 
wholesalers, retail pharmacies, managed care and other customers are 
recorded as a reduction of revenue at the time the related revenues  
are recorded or when the incentives are offered. They are calculated on 
the basis of historical experience and the specific terms in the individual 
agreements. The sales rebate accruals and provisions are included in Other 
current liabilities and Provisions for other liabilities.

Where there is historical experience or a reasonably accurate estimate of 
expected future returns can otherwise be made, a provision for estimated 
sales returns is recorded. Revenue recognition for new product launches 
is based on specific facts and circumstances relating to those products, 
 including estimated demand and acceptance rates for well-established 
products with similar market characteristics. Where shipments of new or 
 existing products are made on a sale or return basis, without sufficient 
historical experience for estimating sales returns, revenue is only recorded 
when there is evidence of consumption or when the right of return has 
expired. 

Provisions for revenue deductions are adjusted to actual amounts as 
 rebates, discounts and returns are processed.

Research and development
All internal research costs are expensed in the Income statement as 
 incurred. 

Due to the long duration and significant uncertainties relating to the  
development of new products, including risks associated with clinical trials 
and regulatory approval, it is concluded that Novo Nordisk’s internal  
development costs in general do not meet the capitalisation criteria. This 
is because the technical feasibility criteria are not considered to be fulfilled 
until a high probability of regulatory approval can be determined. Hence, 
internal research and development costs are expensed in the Income 
statement as incurred. The same principles are applied to property, plant 
and equipment with no alternative use developed as part of a research 
and development project. However, property, plant and equipment with 
alternative use or used for general research and development purposes is 
capitalised and depreciated over its estimated useful life.

For acquired in-process research and development projects, the effect 
of probability is reflected in the cost of the asset, and the probability 
recognition criteria are therefore always considered satisfied. As the cost 
of acquired in-process research and development projects can often be 
measured reliably, these projects fulfil the capitalisation criteria as intangible 
assets upon acquisition. However, further internal development costs 
subsequent to acquisition are treated in the same way as other internal 
development costs.

Licence fees and other operating income
Licence fees and other operating income comprise licence fees and income 
of a secondary nature in relation to the main activities of Novo Nordisk. 
Non-Novo Nordisk-related net profit from the two wholly owned sub-
sidiaries NNIT A/S and NNE Pharmaplan A/S is recognised as other operating 
income. Licence fees are recognised on an accrual basis in accordance with 
the terms and substance of the relevant agreement. Licence fees and other 
operating income also include income from sale of intellectual property 
rights.

Other intangible assets
Internal development of computer software and other development costs 
related to major IT projects for internal use that are directly attributable 
to the design and testing of identifiable and unique software products 
 controlled by Novo Nordisk are recognised as intangible assets under Other 
intangible assets if the recognition criteria are met. The computer software 
has to be a significant business system and the expenditure must lead to  
the creation of a durable asset.  

In order for an internally generated intangible asset to qualify for  
recognition, it is required that the related internal development project is 
at a sufficiently advanced stage and that the project is economically viable. 
Amortisation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated 
useful life of 3 –10 years. The amortisation commences when the asset is 
available for use, ie when it is in the location and condition necessary for it 
to be capable of operating in the manner intended by Management.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is measured at historical cost less accu-
mulated depreciation and any impairment loss. The cost of self-constructed 
assets includes costs directly attributable to the construction of the assets. 
Subsequent cost is included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised 
as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future 
economic benefits associated with the item will flow to Novo Nordisk and 
the cost of the item can be measured reliably. In general, constructions of 
major investments are self-financed and thus no material interest on loans 
 (borrowings) is capitalised as part of the cost.

Depreciation is provided under the straight-line method over the estimated 
useful lives of the assets as follows: 

•  Buildings: 12 – 50 years
•  Plant and machinery: 5 –16 years
•  Other equipment: 3 –16 years
•  Land: not depreciated

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed and adjusted,  
if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period. An asset’s carrying 
amount is written down to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying 
amount is higher than its estimated recoverable amount. 

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds 
with the carrying amount and are recognised in the Income statement.

Leasing
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease 
substantially transfer all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. 
All other leases are classified as operating leases. The use of finance leases 
in the Consolidated financial statements is immaterial and they are part  
of property, plant and equipment.

Operating lease payments are recognised in the Income statement as an 
expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term, except where another 
systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which eco-
nomic benefits from the leased asset are consumed. Contingent rentals 
arising under operating leases are recognised as an expense in the period in 
which they are incurred. 

Intangible assets
Goodwill
Goodwill represents any cost in excess of identifiable net assets, measured 
at fair value, in the acquired company. Goodwill recorded under Intangible 
assets is related to subsidiaries. 

Impairment of assets 
Intangible assets with an indefinite useful life and intangible assets not yet 
available for use are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually  
for impairment irrespective of whether there is any indication that they may 
be impaired. 

Patents and licences
Patents and licences, including acquired patents and licences for in-process 
research and development projects, are carried at historical cost less ac-
cumulated amortisation and any impairment loss. Amortisation is calculated 
using the straight-line method to allocate the cost of patents and licences 
over their estimated useful lives. Estimated useful life is the shorter of the 
legal duration and the economic useful life. The estimated useful life of 
intangible assets is regularly reviewed. The amortisation of patents and 
licences begins after regulatory approval has been obtained, which is the 
point in time from which the intangible asset is available for use in the 
production of the product.

Assets that are subject to amortisation, such as intangible assets in use 
or with definite useful life, and other non-current assets are reviewed for 
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that  
the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Factors considered material 
that could trigger an impairment test include the following:

•  Development of a competing drug
•  Changes in the legal framework covering patents, rights or licences
•  Advances in medicine and/or technology that affect the medical treat-

ments

•  Lower-than-predicted sales
•  Adverse impact on reputation and/or brand names
•  Changes in the economic lives of similar assets
•  Relationship with other intangible or tangible assets
•  Changes or anticipated changes in participation rates or reimbursement 

policies. 

62     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
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If the carrying amount of goodwill, intangible assets or other non-current 
assets exceeds the recoverable amount based upon the existence of one or 
more of the above indicators of impairment, any impairment is measured 
based on discounted projected cash flows.

Intangible assets and other non-financial assets (other than goodwill) that 
have suffered impairments are reviewed at each reporting date for possible 
reversal of the impairment.

Investments in associated companies
Investments in associated companies are accounted for under the equity  
method of accounting (ie at the respective share of the associated  com - 
panies’ net asset value applying Novo Nordisk’s accounting policies). Good-
will relating to associated companies is recorded as part of the investment 
under Investments in associated companies.

Financial assets
Novo Nordisk classifies its investments in the following categories:

•  Available-for-sale financial assets 
•  Loans and receivables
•  Financial assets at fair value through the Income statement (derivatives).

The classification depends on the purpose for which the investments were 
made. Management determines the classification of its investments on 
initial recognition and re-evaluates this at the end of every reporting period 
to the extent that such a classification is permitted and required.

Recognition and measurement
Purchases and sales of investments are recognised on the settlement date. 
Investments are initially recognised at fair value. 

Available-for-sale financial assets and financial assets at fair value  
are subsequently carried at fair value. Loans and receivables are carried at 
amortised cost using the effective interest method. 

Fair value disclosures are made separately for each class of financial instru-
ments at the end of the reporting period.

Derecognition
Investments are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from 
the investments have expired or have been transferred, and Novo Nordisk 
has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership.

Available-for-sale financial assets
Available-for-sale financial assets consist of equity investments and market-
able securities and are included in Other financial assets unless Manage-
ment intends to dispose of the investment within 12 months of the end of 
the reporting period. If that is the case, the current part is included as Other 
receivables and prepayments.

Unrealised gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of finan-
cial assets classified as available for sale are recognised in Other compre-
hensive income. When financial assets classified as available for sale are 
sold or impaired, the accumulated fair value adjustments are included in the 
Income statement.

The fair values of quoted investments (including bonds) are based on cur-
rent bid prices at the end of the reporting period. Financial assets for which 
no active market exists are carried at cost if no reliable valuation model can 
be applied.

Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or deter-
minable payments that are not quoted in an active market. If collection is 
expected within one year (or in the normal operating cycle of the business 
if longer), they are classified as Current assets. If not, they are presented as 
Non-current assets.

Trade receivables and Other receivables and prepayments are recognised 
initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using  
the effective interest method, less provision for allowances. Provision for  
allowances is made for trade receivables when there is objective evidence 
that Novo Nordisk will not be able to collect all amounts due according to 
the original terms of the receivables.

The provision for allowances is deducted from the carrying amount of  
Trade receivables and the amount of the loss is recognised in the Income 
statement under Sales and distribution costs. When a trade receivable  
is uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance account for trade 
receivables. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are 
credited against Sales and distribution costs in the Income statement.

Financial assets at fair value through the Income statement (derivatives)
Novo Nordisk uses forward exchange contracts, currency options, interest 
rate swaps and cross-currency swaps to hedge forecast transactions,  
assets and liabilities, and net foreign currency investments in foreign sub-
sidiaries in accordance with the specific rules of IAS 39 ‘Financial Instru-
ments: Recognition and Measurement’. 

Upon initiation of the contract, Novo Nordisk designates each derivative 
financial contract that qualifies for hedge accounting as one of:

•  Hedges of the fair value of a recognised asset or liability or a firm commit-

ment (fair value hedge)

•  Hedges of the fair value of a forecast financial transaction (cash flow 

hedge)

•  Hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation (net investment 

hedge).

All contracts are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently re-
measured at their fair values based on current bid prices at the end of the 
reporting period. 

Forward exchange contracts and currency swap hedges recognised as  
assets or liabilities in foreign currencies are measured at fair value at the end 
of the reporting period. Value adjustments are recognised in the Income 
statement along with any value adjustments of the hedged asset or liability 
that is attributable to the hedged risk. 

The value adjustments on forward exchange contracts and interest rate 
swaps designated as hedges of forecast transactions are recognised directly 
in Other comprehensive income, given hedge effectiveness. The cumulative 
value adjustment of these contracts is transferred from Other compre-
hensive income to the Income statement as a reclassification adjustment 
under Financial income or Financial expenses when the hedged transaction 
is recognised in the Income statement. 

Currency swaps used to hedge net investments in subsidiaries are measured 
at fair value based on the difference between the swap exchange rate and 
the exchange rate at the end of the reporting period. The value adjustment 
is recognised in Other comprehensive income.

Furthermore, Novo Nordisk uses currency option hedges of forecast trans-
actions. Currency options are initially recognised at cost, which equals fair 
value of considerations paid, and subsequently re-measured at their fair 
values at the end of the reporting period. The cumulative value adjustment 
of the currency options for which hedge accounting is applied, which is 
the intrinsic value of the options, is transferred from Other comprehensive 
income to the Income statement as a reclassification adjustment under 
Financial income or Financial expenses when the hedged transaction is 
recognised in the Income statement. Gains and losses on currency options 
that do not meet the detailed requirements for allowing hedge accounting 
are recognised directly in the Income statement under Financial income or 
Financial expenses.

The fair value of financial assets and liabilities is measured on the basis of 
quoted market prices of financial instruments traded in active markets.  
If an active market exists, fair value is based on the most recently observed 
market price at the end of the reporting period.

If a financial instrument is quoted in a market that is not active, Novo 
Nordisk bases its valuation on the most recent transaction price. Adjust-
ment is made for subsequent changes in market conditions, for instance by 
including transactions in similar financial instruments that are assumed to 
be motivated by normal business considerations.

If an active market does not exist, the fair value of standard and simple 
financial instruments, such as foreign exchange forward contracts, interest 
rate swaps, currency swaps and unlisted bonds, is measured according to 
generally accepted valuation techniques. Market-based parameters are used 
to measure fair value.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension assets are only recognised to the extent that Novo Nordisk is able to 
derive future economic benefits such as refunds from the plan or reductions 
of future contributions.

Novo Nordisk’s contributions to the defined contribution plans are charged 
to the Income statement in the year to which they relate.

Share-based compensation
Novo Nordisk operates equity-settled, share-based compensation plans.  
The fair value of the employee services received in exchange for the grant  
of the options or shares is recognised as an expense and allocated over the 
vesting period.

The total amount to be expensed over the vesting period is determined by 
reference to the fair value of the options or shares granted, excluding the 
impact of any non-market vesting conditions. The fair value is fixed at grant 
date. Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about 
the number of options or shares that are expected to vest. At the end of 
each reporting period, Novo Nordisk revises its estimates of the number of 
 options or shares that are expected to vest. Novo Nordisk recognises the  
impact of the revision of the original estimates, if any, in the Income state- 
 ment and in a corresponding adjustment to Equity (change in proceeds) 
over the remaining vesting period. Adjustments relating to prior years are 
included in the Income statement in the year of adjustment. 

Liabilities
Generally, liabilities are stated at amortised cost unless otherwise specified.

Loans are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. 
Loans are subsequently stated at amortised cost; any dif ference between 
the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is 
 re cognised in the Income statement over the period of the loans using the 
effective interest method. Loans are classified as  Current debt unless Novo 
Nordisk has an unconditional right to defer settle ment of the liability for  
at least 12 months after the end of the reporting period.

Provisions 
Provisions, including legal disputes, are recognised where a legal or con-
structive obligation has been incurred as a result of past events and it is 
probable that there will be an outflow of resources that can be reliably 
 estimated. In this case, Novo Nordisk arrives at an estimate on the basis of 
an evaluation of the most likely outcome. Disputes for which no reliable 
 estimate can be made are disclosed as contingent liabilities.

Provisions are measured at the present value of the anticipated expenditure 
for settlement of the legal or constructive obligation using a pre-tax rate 
that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and 
the risks specific to the obligation. The increase in the provision due to the 
passage of time is recognised as interest expense.

Product returns 
Novo Nordisk has recorded provisions for expected product returns. 
Provisions are based on an analysis of the estimated rate of return, which 
is determined based on historical experience of customer returns and con-
sidering any other relevant factors.

Treasury shares
Treasury shares are deducted from the share capital at their nominal value 
of DKK 1 per share. Differences between this amount and the amount paid 
for acquiring, or received for disposing of, treasury shares are deducted 
from Retained earnings. 

Statement of cash flows 
The Statement of cash flows and financial resources is presented in accord-
ance with the indirect method commencing with Net profit for the year. 
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and marketable securities with 
original maturity of less than three months offset by short-term bank loans. 
Financial resources consist of cash and cash equivalents, bonds with original 
term to maturity exceeding three months and undrawn committed credit 
facilities expiring after more than one year.

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When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge no longer 
meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing 
in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognised when the forecast 
transaction is ultimately recognised in the Income statement. When a 
forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or 
loss that was reported in equity is immediately transferred to the Income 
statement under Financial income or Financial expenses.

Inventories 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost 
is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Cost comprises direct 
production costs such as raw materials, consumables and labour as well as 
production overheads such as employee wages, depreciation, maintenance 
etc. The production overheads are measured based on a standard cost 
method, which is reviewed regularly to ensure relevant measures of utilisa-
tion, production lead time, etc. 

If the expected sales price less completion costs and costs to execute sales 
(net realisable value) is lower than the carrying amount, a write-down is 
recognised for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds its net 
realisable value.

Inventory manufactured prior to regulatory approval is capitalised as an 
asset but provided for until there is a high probability of regulatory approval 
of the product. Before that point a provision is made against the carrying 
amount to its recoverable amount and recorded as R&D costs. At the point 
when a high probability of regulatory approval is obtained, the provision 
recorded is reversed, up to no more than the original cost.

Tax
The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax, 
including adjustments to previous years. Tax is recognised in the Income 
statement, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in Other 
compre hensive income.

Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the ac-
counting and taxable values of the individual consolidated companies and 
from realisable tax-loss carry-forwards using the liability method. The tax 
value of tax-loss carry-forwards is included in deferred tax assets to the 
extent that the tax losses and other tax assets are expected to be utilised  
in future taxable income. The deferred income taxes are measured 
 according to current tax rules and at the tax rates expected to be in force  
on elimination of the temporary differences. 

Unremitted earnings are retained by subsidiaries for reinvestment. No 
 provision is made for income taxes that would be payable upon the distri-
bution of such earnings.

Employee benefits
Wages, salaries, social security contributions, annual leave and sick leave, 
bonuses and non-monetary benefits are recognised in the year in which 
the associated services are rendered by employees of Novo Nordisk. Where 
Novo Nordisk provides long-term employee benefits, the costs are accrued 
to match the rendering of the services by the employees concerned.

Pensions
Novo Nordisk operates a number of defined contribution plans throughout  
the world. In a few countries, Novo Nordisk still operates defined benefit 
plans. The costs for the year for defined benefit plans are determined  
using the projected unit credit method. This reflects services rendered by 
employees to the dates of valuation and is based on actuarial assumptions 
primarily regarding discount rates used in determining the present value of 
benefits, projected rates of remuneration growth and long-term expected 
rates of return for plan assets. Discount rates are based on the market yields 
of high-rated corporate bonds in the country concerned. 

Actuarial gains and losses are recognised as income or expenses when the 
net cumulative unrecognised actuarial gains and losses for each individual 
plan at the end of the previous reporting period exceed 10% of the  
higher of the defined benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets at 
that date. These gains or losses are recognised over the expected average 
remaining working lives of the employees participating in the plans. 

Past service costs are allocated over the average period until the benefits 
vest. 

64     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-IFRS financial measures
In the Annual Report 2011, Novo Nordisk discloses certain financial 
measures of the Group’s financial performance, financial position and cash 
flows that reflect adjustments to the most directly comparable measures 
calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS. These non-IFRS financial 
measures may not be defined and calculated by other companies in the 
same manner, and may thus not be comparable with such measures.

The non-IFRS financial measures presented in the Annual Report 2011 are:
•  Cash to earnings
•  Financial resources at the end of the year
•  Free cash flow
•  Operating profit after tax to net operating assets.

Cash to earnings
Cash to earnings is defined as ‘free cash flow as a percentage of net profit’.

Financial resources at the end of the year
Financial resources at the end of the year is defined as the sum of cash and 
cash equivalents at the end of the year, bonds with original term to maturity 
exceeding three months and undrawn committed credit facilities.

Free cash flow
Novo Nordisk defines free cash flow as ‘net cash generated from operating 
activities less net cash used in investing activities’ excluding ‘Net change in 
marketable securities’.

Operating profit after tax to net operating assets
Operating profit after tax to net operating assets is defined as ‘operating 
profit after tax (using the effective tax rate) as a percentage of average 
 inventories, receivables, property, plant and equipment, intangible assets  
and deferred tax assets less non-interest bearing liabilities including 
 provisions and deferred tax liabilities (where average is the sum of above 
assets and liabilities at the beginning of the year and at year-end divided  
by two)’. 

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Financial definitions

ADRs
An American Depositary Receipt (or ADR) represents ownership in the 
shares of a non-US company and trades in US financial markets.

Basic earnings per share (EPS) 
Net profit divided by the average number of shares outstanding.

Diluted earnings per share 
Net profit divided by the sum of average number of shares outstanding, 
including the dilutive effect of share options ‘in the money’. The dilutive  
effect of share options ‘in the money’ is calculated as the difference 
 between the following:

1) the number of shares that could have been acquired at fair value with 
proceeds from the exercise of the share options
2) the number of shares that would have been issued assuming the exercise 
of the share options. 

The difference (the dilutive effect) is added to the denominator as an issue 
of shares for no consideration.

Effective tax rate 
Income taxes as a percentage of profit before income taxes.

Equity ratio 
Total equity at year-end as a percentage of total assets at year-end.

Gross margin 
Gross profit as a percentage of sales.

Net profit margin 
Net profit as a percentage of sales.

Number of shares outstanding 
The total number of shares, excluding the holding of treasury shares.

Operating profit margin 
Operating profit as a percentage of sales.

Other comprehensive income (OCI)
Other comprehensive income comprises all items recognised in equity for 
the year other than those related to transactions with owners of the com-
pany. Examples of items that are required to be presented in OCI are:

•  Foreign exchange rate adjustments in foreign subsidiaries
•  Actuarial gains and losses arising on defined benefit plans
•  Changes in fair value of financial instruments in a cash flow hedge.

Payout ratio 
Total dividends for the year as a percentage of net profit.

Return on equity (ROE)
Net profit for the year as a percentage of shareholders’ equity (average).

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     65

 
 
 
 
 
 
2   Segment information

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal 
reporting provided to Management and the Board of Directors. 

Business segments

Novo Nordisk operates in two business segments based on different 
 therapies: Diabetes care and Biopharmaceuticals.

The Diabetes care business segment includes research, development, 
 manufacturing and marketing of products within the areas of insulin, GLP-1 
and related delivery systems, oral antidiabetic products (OAD) and obesity.

The Biopharmaceuticals business segment includes research, development, 
manufacturing and marketing of products within the areas of haemophilia, 
growth hormone therapy, hormone replacement therapy, inflammation 
therapy and other therapy areas.

Management monitors the operating results of its business segments sepa-
rately for the purpose of making decisions about resource allocation and 
performance assessment. Segment performance is evaluated on the basis 
of operating profit consistent with the Consolidated financial statements. 
Financial income and expenses and income taxes are managed on a Group 
basis and are not allocated to business  segments.

There are no sales or other transactions between the business segments. 
Costs have been split between business segments according to a specific 
allocation with the addition of a minor number of corporate overheads 
allocated systematically between the segments. Licence fees and other 
 operating income has been allocated to the two segments based on the 
same principle. Segment assets comprise the assets that are applied directly 
to the activities of the segment, including intangible assets, property, plant 
and equipment, other financial assets, inventories, trade receivables, and 
other receivables and prepayments. 

No single customer represents more than 10% of the total sales and no 
operating segments have been aggregated to form the reported business 
segments.

Business segments

DKK million 

Segment sales 

NovoRapid® / NovoLog® 
NovoMix® / NovoLog®Mix 
Levemir® 
Total modern insulins 
Human insulins 
Victoza® 
Protein-related products 
Oral antidiabetic products (OAD) 

2011 

2010 

2009 

2011 

2010 

2009 

2011 

2010 

2009

Diabetes care 

Biopharmaceuticals 

Total

12,804 
8,278 
7,683 
28,765 
10,785 
5,991 
2,309 
2,575 

11,900 
7,821 
6,880 
26,601 
11,827 
2,317 
2,214 
2,751 

9,749 
6,499 
5,223 
21,471 
11,315 
87 
1,977 
2,652 

Diabetes care total sales 

50,425 

45,710 

37,502 

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NovoSeven® 
Norditropin® 
Hormone replacement therapy 
Other products 

Biopharmaceuticals total sales  

Total business segments – 
other key figures
Total sales 
    Change in DKK (%) 
    Change in local currencies (%) 
Cost of goods sold 
Sales and distribution costs 
Research and development costs 
Administrative expenses 
Licence fees and other operating 
income, net 
Operating profit  

Depreciation, amortisation and 
impairment losses included in costs 
Additions to non-current assets 
(other than financial assets and 
deferred tax assets) 

Assets allocated to business segments 
Assets not allocated to business 
segments1 
Total assets 

8,347 
5,047 
2,054 
473 

8,030 
4,803 
1,892 
341 

7,072 
4,401 
1,744 
359 

15,921 

15,066 

13,576 

50,425 
10.3% 
12.6% 
10,762 
16,476 
6,402 
2,485 

285 
14,585 

45,710 
21.9% 
15.7% 
10,131 
14,815 
6,744 
2,260 

342 
12,102 

37,502 
12.4% 
11.1% 
9,001 
12,877 
5,257 
2,044 

187 
8,510 

15,921 
5.7% 
7.6% 
1,827 
2,528 
3,226 
760 

209 
7,789 

15,066 
11.0% 
5.4% 
1,549 
3,380 
2,858 
805 

315 
6,789 

13,576 
11.3% 
9.3% 
1,437 
2,543 
2,607 
720 

154 
6,423 

66,346 
9.2% 
11.4% 
12,589 
19,004 
9,628 
3,245 

494 
22,374 

60,776 
19.0% 
13.0% 
11,680 
18,195 
9,602 
3,065 

657 
18,891 

51,078
12.1%
10.6%
10,438
15,420
7,864
2,764

341
14,933

2,051 

1,887 

1,973 

686 

580 

578 

2,737 

2,467 

2,551

2,654 

3,068 

2,129 

678 

795 

896 

3,332 

3,863 

3,025

34,853 

34,947 

29,703 

8,998 

7,906 

8,984 

43,851 

42,853 

38,687

20,847 
64,698 

18,549 
61,402 

16,055
54,742

1. The part of total assets that has not been allocated to either of the two business segments includes Cash at bank and in hand, Marketable securities, Derivative financial instruments 

and tax assets etc.

66     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2   Segment information (continued)

Geographical segments

Novo Nordisk operates in five geographical regions:

•  North America: the US and Canada
•  Europe: the EU, EFTA, Albania, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, 

Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo
•  Japan & Korea: Japan and Korea
•  Region China: China, Hong Kong and Taiwan
•  International Operations: all other countries

Sales are attributed to geographical regions according to the location of  
the customer. Allocation of property, plant and equipment and total assets 
are based on the location of the assets.

The country of domicile is Denmark, which is part of Region Europe. 
Denmark is immaterial in relation to Novo Nordisk’s activities in terms of 
 geographical size and the operational business segments. Less than 1% of 
the total sales is realised in Denmark. Sales to external customers attributed 
to the US are collectively the most material to the company. The US is the 
only country where sales contribute more than 10% of total sales. Sales to 
the US represent more than 90% of sales in Region North America.

Geographical segments

DKK million 

2011 

2010 

2009 

2011 

2010 

2009

North America 

Sales 
    Change in DKK (%) 
    Change in local currencies (%) 
Property, plant and equipment 
Trade receivables 
Hereof allowance for trade receivables 
Total assets 

26,586 
12.6% 
17.9% 
1,329 
2,081 
(22) 
5,465 

23,609 
29.2% 
22.4% 
987 
1,689 
(19) 
3,680 

18,279 
20.6% 
15.2% 
905 
1,255 
(22) 
3,232 

19,168 
2.7% 
2.4% 
15,681 
3,652 
(333) 
47,202 

Europe

18,664 
6.4% 
4.6% 
15,669 
3,437 
(200) 
46,654 

17,540
1.9%
5.2%
15,445
3,243
(187)
42,933

DKK million 

2011 

2010 

2009 

2011 

2010 

2009

International Operations2 

Japan & Korea

Sales 
    Change in DKK (%) 
    Change in local currencies (%) 
Property, plant and equipment 
Trade receivables 
Hereof allowance for trade receivables 
Total assets 

9,367 
12.4% 
17.1% 
1,672 
2,052 
(535) 
6,419 

8,335 
21.9% 
22.3% 
1,929 
1,995 
(408) 
6,327 

6,835 
7.6% 
14.9% 
1,785 
1,555 
(391) 
5,439 

6,223 
9.9% 
5.1% 
207 
377 
(2) 
1,388 

5,660 
15.8% 
3.3% 
213 
446 
0 
1,158 

4,888
16.5%
1.8%
188
361
0
1,003

DKK million 

2011 

2010 

2009 

2011 

2010 

2009

Region China2 

Sales 
    Change in DKK (%) 
    Change in local currencies (%) 
Property, plant and equipment 
Trade receivables 
Hereof allowance for trade receivables 
Total assets 

5,002 
11.0% 
11.7% 
2,042 
1,187 
0 
4,224 

4,508 
27.5% 
19.9% 
1,709 
933 
0 
3,583 

3,536 
25.6% 
26.4% 
903 
649 
0 
2,135 

66,346 
9.2% 
11.4% 
20,931 
9,349 
(892) 
64,698 

Total

60,776 
19.0% 
13.0% 
20,507 
8,500 
(627) 
61,402 

51,078
12.1%
10.6%
19,226
7,063
(600)
54,742

2. As of 1 January 2011, Region China is reported as a separate geographical region. Before 2011, Region China was part of International 

Operations. The historical figures for 2010 and 2009 have been restated and are comparable with the 2011 regional set-up.

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Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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3   Gross-to-net sales reconciliation

5   Fee to statutory auditors

DKK million 

Gross sales 

US Medicaid and Medicare rebates 
US managed healthcare rebates 
US wholesaler charge-backs 
Non-US healthcare plans and 
programme rebates 
Sales returns and discounts 

2011 

2010 

2009

DKK million 

2011 

2010 

2009

84,386 

75,811 

62,459

(5,075) 
(2,551) 
(5,894) 

(4,124) 
(2,494) 
(4,994) 

(2,447)
(2,121)
(3,720)

(695) 
(3,825) 

(543) 
(2,880) 

(431)
(2,662)

Statutory audit  
Audit-related services 
Tax advisory services 
Other services 

Total fee to statutory auditors 

24 
5 
13 
3 

45 

25 
6 
15 
4 

50 

25
6
13
3

47

Total gross-to-net sales adjustments 

(18,040) 

(15,035) 

(11,381)

6   Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses

Total net sales 

66,346 

60,776 

51,078

DKK million 

2011 

2010 

2009

4   Employee costs

DKK million 

2011 

2010 

2009

Wages and salaries 
Share-based payment costs (note 29) 
Pensions – defined contribution plans 
Pensions – retirement benefit 
obligations (note 21) 
Other social security contributions 
Other employee costs 

16,127 
319 
1,155 

14,520 
463 
1,052 

(2) 
1,189 
1,491 

210 
1,067 
1,510 

13,231
259
958

152
898
1,332

Total employee costs for the year 

20,279 

18,822 

16,830

Included in the Income statement: 
Cost of goods sold 
Sales and distribution costs 
Research and development costs  
Administrative expenses 
Licence fees and other operating  
income, net 

1,880 
95 
633 
58 

1,832 
60 
460 
56 

1,851
43
528
55

71 

59 

74

Total depreciation, amortisation and 
impairment losses 

2,737 

2,467 

2,551

Refer to notes 11 and 12 for the split between Intangible assets and 
Property, plant and equipment.

Change in employee costs included 
in assets under construction 
Change in employee costs included 
in inventories 

Total employee costs expensed 
in the Income statement 

Included in the Income statement: 
Cost of goods sold 
Sales and distribution costs 
Research and development costs 
Administrative expenses 
Licence fees and other operating  
income, net 

7   Financial income

(496) 

(559) 

(485)

DKK million 

(37) 

76 

(21)

19,746 

18,339 

16,324

4,302 
7,961 
3,980 
1,993 

4,006 
7,240 
3,697 
2,059 

3,952
6,063
3,218
1,811

Interest income  
Foreign exchange gain (net) 
Foreign exchange gain on 
derivatives (net) 

Total financial income 

8   Financial expenses

2011 

2010 

2009

274 
– 

240 

514 

235 
86 

61 

382 

313
62

–

375

1,510 

1,337 

1,280

DKK million 

2011 

2010 

2009

Interest expenses1 
Foreign exchange loss (net) 
Foreign exchange loss on 
derivatives (net) 
Loss on currency options (net) 
Capital loss on investments etc  
Other financial expenses 
Foreign exchange loss on 
derivatives transferred from Other 
comprehensive income (net) 

Total financial expenses 

275 
256 

– 
200 
27 
95 

106 

959 

500 
– 

– 
82 
23 
46 

384
–

95
56
16
52

1,406 

662

2,057 

1,265

1. Interest expenses include interest on tax cases ongoing or settled during the year.

Total included in the Income statement 

19,746 

18,339 

16,324

Average number of full-time employees 
Year-end number of full-time employees 

31,499 
32,136 

29,423 
30,014 

27,985
28,809

DKK million 

2011 

2010 

2009

Remuneration to Executive 
Management:
Salary 
Pension 
Other benefits 

Total 

Fee to Board of Directors 

35 
9 
1 

45 

9 

32 
8 
1 

41 

7 

30
8
1

39

7

Share-based payments are allocated in the joint pool with other members of 
the Senior Management Board. Please refer to note 29 and  ‘Remunera tion 
 report’ in ‘Corporate governance, remuneration and leadership,’ pp 44 – 47, 
for further information on remuneration to the Board of Directors and 
Executive Management.

68     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9   Taxes

DKK million 

Current tax on profit for the year 
Deferred tax on profit for the year (note 20) 

Tax on profit for the year 
Adjustments related to previous years – current tax 
Adjustments related to previous years – deferred tax 

Income taxes in the Income statement  

Computation of effective tax rate:
Statutory corporate income tax rate in Denmark 
Deviation in foreign subsidiaries’ tax rates compared with the Danish tax rate (net) 
Non-taxable income less non-tax-deductible expenses (net) 
Other 

Effective tax rate 

2011 

2010 

4,534 
257 

4,791 
277 
(240) 

3,477 
495 

3,972 
504 
(593) 

4,828 

3,883 

2009

2,382
840

3,222
(54)
52

3,220

25.0% 
(3.0%) 
(0.2%) 
0.2% 

25.0% 
(2.5%) 
(1.2%) 
(0.1%) 

25.0%
(2.2%)
0.2%
0.0%

22.0% 

21.2% 

23.0%

Tax on other comprehensive income for the year, (income)/expense (note 20) 

(190) 

(346) 

25 

Tax on other comprehensive income for the year relates to tax on deferred (gains)/losses on cash flow hedges and internal profit (note 20).

Income taxes paid
Income taxes paid in Denmark 
Income taxes paid outside Denmark 

Total income taxes paid 

10   Earnings per share and dividend

DKK million 

Net profit for the year 

2,825 
2,566 

5,391 

1,826 
1,610 

3,436 

792
1,206

1,998

2011 

2010 

2009

17,097 

14,403 

10,768

Average number of shares outstanding 
Dilutive effect of outstanding share bonus pool and options ‘in the money’1 

in 1,000 shares 
in 1,000 shares 

565,433 
4,699 

580,438 
5,039 

599,197
5,126

Average number of shares outstanding, including dilutive effect of options ‘in the money’  

in 1,000 shares 

570,132 

585,477 

604,323

Basic earnings per share1 
Diluted earnings per share1 

DKK 
DKK 

30.24 
29.99 

24.81 
24.60 

17.97
17.82

1. For further information on outstanding share bonus pool and options, refer to notes 29 and 30.

Dividend
At the end of 2011, proposed dividends (not yet declared) of DKK 7,742 million (DKK 14.00 per share) are included in Retained earnings. 
The declared dividend included in Retained earnings was DKK 5,700 million (DKK 10.00 per share) in 2010 and DKK 4,400 million (DKK 7.50 per share)  
in 2009. No dividend is declared on treasury shares.

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Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11   Intangible assets

DKK million 

Cost at the beginning of the year 
Additions during the year 
Disposals during the year 
Effect of exchange rate adjustment 

Cost at the end of the year 

Amortisation and impairment losses at the beginning of the year 
Amortisation for the year 
Impairment losses for the year 
Amortisation and impairment losses reversed on disposals during the year 
Effect of exchange rate adjustment 

Amortisation and impairment losses at the end of the year 

2011 

2010

2,277 
259 
(1) 
3 

2,538 

819 
107 
125 
(1) 
(1) 

1,049 

1,794
487
(46)
42

2,277

757
80
–
(41)
23

819

Carrying amount at the end of the year 

1,489 

1,458

Intangible assets primarily relate to patents and licences DKK 696 million (DKK 795 million in 2010), internally developed software DKK 518 million  
(DKK 412 million in 2010) and other intangible assets DKK 275 million (DKK 251 million in 2010). Historically Novo Nordisk’s growth has been organic without 
material acquisition of rights. Intangible assets not yet available for use amounts to DKK 980 million (DKK 978 million in 2010).

Impairment tests in 2011 and 2010 of assets not yet available for use were based upon Management’s projections and anticipated net present value of  
future cash flows from cash-generating units. Management has used a pre-tax discount rate (WACC) of 8% based on the risk inherent in the related activity’s 
current business model and industry comparisons. Terminal values used are based on the expected life of products, forecasted life cycle and cash flow over 
that period, and the useful life of the underlying assets. In 2011, an impairment loss of DKK 125 million (DKK 0 in 2010) related to patents has been recognised 
due to discontinuation of development projects.

Amortisation and impairment losses for the year are presented in the Income statement as follows:

DKK million 

Cost of goods sold 
Sales and distribution costs 
Research and development costs 
Licence fees and other operating income, net 

Total amortisation and impairment losses for the year  

2011 

2010

47 
35 
139 
11 

232 

42
13
19
6

80

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70     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12   Property, plant and equipment

DKK million 

2011
Cost at the beginning of the year 
Additions during the year 
Disposals during the year 
Transfer from/(to) other items 
Effect of exchange rate adjustment 

Cost at the end of the year 

Land and 
buildings 

Plant and 
machinery 

Other 
equipment 

Total

Payments on 
account and 
assets in 
course of 
construction 

13,598 
312 
(228) 
982 
(64) 

17,243 
262 
(522) 
937 
(75) 

2,861 
293 
(167) 
85 
8 

4,516 
2,206 
– 
(2,004) 
97 

38,218
3,073
(917)
–
(34)

14,600 

17,845 

3,080 

4,815 

40,340

Depreciation and impairment losses at the beginning of the year 
Depreciation for the year 
Impairment losses for the year 
Depreciation and impairment losses reversed on disposals during the year 
Effect of exchange rate adjustment 

5,048 
623 
29 
(165) 
(10) 

10,806 
1,471 
93 
(462) 
(20) 

1,857 
289 
– 
(157) 
7 

Depreciation and impairment losses at the end of the year 

5,525 

11,888 

1,996 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

17,711
2,383
122
(784)
(23)

19,409

Carrying amount at the end of the year 

9,075 

5,957 

1,084 

4,815 

20,931

2010
Cost at the beginning of the year 
Additions during the year 
Disposals during the year 
Transfer from/(to) other items 
Effect of exchange rate adjustment 

Cost at the end of the year 

12,855 
142 
(35) 
372 
264 

16,709 
394 
(830) 
727 
243 

2,740 
146 
(156) 
76 
55 

2,907 
2,694 
– 
(1,175) 
90 

35,211
3,376
(1,021)
–
652

13,598 

17,243 

2,861 

4,516 

38,218

Depreciation and impairment losses at the beginning of the year 
Depreciation for the year 
Impairment losses for the year 
Depreciation and impairment losses reversed on disposals during the year 
Effect of exchange rate adjustment 

4,387 
581 
37 
(29) 
72 

9,913 
1,453 
30 
(708) 
118 

1,685 
285 
1 
(145) 
31 

Depreciation and impairment losses at the end of the year 

5,048 

10,806 

1,857 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

15,985
2,319
68
(882)
221

17,711

Carrying amount at the end of the year 

8,550 

6,437 

1,004 

4,516 

20,507

Depreciation and impairment losses for the year are presented in the Income statement as follows:

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DKK million 

Cost of goods sold 
Sales and distribution costs 
Research and development costs 
Administrative expenses 
Licence fees and other operating income, net 

Total depreciation and impairment losses for the year  

13   Investments in associated companies

2011 

1,833 
60 
494 
58 
60 

2,505 

2010

1,790
47
441
56
53

2,387

Investments in associated companies relates to Harno Invest A/S (formerly Dako A/S) only. The carrying amount at 31 December 2011 amounts to DKK 39 
 million (DKK 43 million in 2010) based on the 2010 annual report of Harno Invest A/S. Public accounting information for 2011 is not yet available. There have 
not been any changes related to investments in associated companies during the year.

In 2010, Novo Nordisk sold its 22,143,320 shares in ZymoGenetics, Inc. at a price of USD 9.75 per share. The sale resulted in non-recurring income of 
DKK 1,092 million. The income from the transaction is exempt from tax charges under applicable Danish tax laws. Also during 2010, Novo Nordisk transferred 
Innate Pharma SA to Other financial assets as Novo Nordisk no longer holds any significant influence in the company.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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14   Financial assets and liabilities

DKK million 

2011
Other financial assets 
Trade receivables (note 16) 
Other receivables (note 17) 
– less prepayments (note 17) 
Marketable securities (bonds)1 
Derivative financial instruments (note 28) 
Cash at bank and in hand 

Available- 
for-sale 
financial 
assets at 
fair value 

Financial 
assets 
measured at 
fair value 
through the 
Income 
statement 

Loans 
and 
receivables 

Cash  
and cash 
equivalents 

Total

191 

4,094 

43 
9,349 
2,376 
(935) 

48 

13,408 

234
9,349
2,376
(935)
4,094
48
13,408

Total financial assets at the end of the year 

4,285 

48 

10,833 

13,408 

28,574

DKK million 

Loans (note 19)  
Current debt (note 19)  
Trade payables 
Other liabilities (note 23) 
– less taxes and duties payable (note 23) 
Derivative financial instruments (note 28) 

Total financial liabilities at the end of the year  

DKK million 

2010
Other financial assets 
Trade receivables (note 16) 
Other receivables (note 17) 
– less prepayments (note 17) 
Marketable securities (bonds) 
Derivative financial instruments (note 28) 
Cash at bank and in hand 

Financial 
liabilities 
measured at 
fair value 
through the 
Income 
statement 

Financial 
liabilities 
measured at 
amortised 
cost 

Financial  
liabilities 
measured at 
fair value 
through Other 
comprehensive 
income 

Total

502
351
3,291
8,534
(537)
1,492

502 
351 
3,291 
8,534 
(537) 

1,308 

12,141 

1,308 

13,633

Loans 
and 
receivables 

Cash  
and cash 
equivalents 

Total

184 

184 

Available- 
for-sale 
financial 
assets at 
fair value 

Financial 
assets 
measured at 
fair value 
through the 
Income 
statement 

216 

3,926 

38 
8,500 
2,403 
(617) 

108 

12,017 

254
8,500
2,403
(617)
3,926
108
12,017

Total financial assets at the end of the year  

4,142 

108 

10,324 

12,017 

26,591

DKK million 

Loans (note 19) 
Current debt (note 19) 
Trade payables 
Other liabilities (note 23) 
– less taxes and duties payable (note 23) 
Derivative financial instruments (note 28) 

Total financial liabilities at the end of the year 

Financial 
liabilities 
measured at 
fair value 
through the 
Income 
statement 

Financial 
liabilities 
measured at 
amortised 
cost 

Financial  
liabilities 
measured at 
fair value 
through Other 
comprehensive 
income 

504 
562 
2,906 
7,954 
(318) 

11,608 

446 

446 

712 

712 

Total

504
562
2,906
7,954
(318)
1,158

12,766

1. Danish AAA-rated mortgage bonds issued by Danish credit institutions governed by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority of DKK 4,083 million (DKK 3,857 million in 2010), 

refer to note 27. Redemption yield on the bond portfolio is 1.18%. In addition Novo Nordisk owns nominal EUR 1.5 million (EUR 9 million in 2010) corresponding to DKK 11 million 
(DKK 69 million in 2010) of Greek zero-coupon state bonds related to the settlement in 2010 of overdue hospital accounts receivable.

For a description of the credit quality of financial assets such as Trade receivables, Cash at bank and in hand, Marketable securities, and Current debt and 
Derivative financial instruments, refer to notes 27 and 28.

72     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14   Financial assets and liabilities (continued)

Maturity analysis

DKK million 

2011
Other financial assets  
Trade receivables (note 16) 
Other receivables (note 17) 
– less prepayments (note 17) 
Marketable securities (bonds) 
Derivative financial instruments (note 28) 
Cash at bank and in hand 

Equity 
investments 

Maturity 
< 1 year 

Maturity 
> 1 year 
< 5 years 

Maturity  
> 5 years 

Total

191 

43 

9,349 
2,376 
(935) 
2,311 
48 
13,408 

1,783 

234
9,349
2,376
(935)
4,094
48
13,408

Total assets at the end of the year by maturity 

191 

26,557 

1,783 

43 

28,574

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196 

306 

351 
3,291 
8,534 
(537) 
1,400 

13,039 

8,500 
2,403 
(617) 
3,174 
108 
12,017 

92 

288 

752 

216 

145 

359 

562 
2,906 
7,954 
(318) 
1,020 

12,124 

138 

283 

502
351
3,291
8,534
(537)
1,492

306 

13,633

38 

254
8,500
2,403
(617)
3,926
108
12,017

504
562
2,906
7,954
(318)
1,158

359 

12,766

Loans (note 19)  
Current debt (note 19)  
Trade payables 
Other liabilities (note 23) 
– less taxes and duties payable (note 23) 
Derivative financial instruments (note 28) 

Total liabilities at the end of the year by maturity 

2010
Other financial assets  
Trade receivables (note 16) 
Other receivables (note 17) 
– less prepayments (note 17) 
Marketable securities (bonds) 
Derivative financial instruments (note 28) 
Cash at bank and in hand 

Loans (note 19)  
Current debt (note 19)  
Trade payables 
Other liabilities (note 23) 
– less taxes and duties payable (note 23) 
Derivative financial instruments (note 28) 

Total liabilities at the end of the year by maturity 

Total assets at the end of the year by maturity 

216 

25,585 

752 

38 

26,591

Fair value measurement hierarchy
Financial assets and liabilities measured in the Balance sheet at fair value can be categorised using the fair value measurement hierarchy below. There have  
not been any transfers between the categories ’Active market data’ and ’Directly or indirectly observable market data’ during 2011 or 2010.

DKK million 

2011
Total financial assets 

Total financial liabilities 

2010
Total financial assets 

Total financial liabilities 

Active 
market 
data 

Directly or 
indirectly 
observable 
market 
data 

Not based on 
observable 
market 
data 

4,153 

48 

– 

1,492 

3,983 

108 

– 

1,158 

132 

– 

159 

– 

Total

4,333

1,492

4,250

1,158

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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15   Inventories

DKK million 

Raw materials 
Work in progress 
Finished goods 

Total inventories (gross) 

Inventory write-downs at year-end 

Total inventories (net) 

17   Other receivables and prepayments

2011 

2010

DKK million 

2011 

2010

1,432 
5,035 
3,781 

1,378
6,344
3,268

10,248 

10,990

815 

1,301

9,433 

9,689

Prepayments1 
Interest receivable 
Amounts owed by related parties 
Deposit 
VAT receivable 
Other receivables2 

935 
113 
88 
558 
122 
560 

617
97
111
455
474
649

Total other current assets 

2,376 

2,403

1.  Comprises prepayments to ongoing research and development activities and  

payments made concerning subsequent financial years etc.

2. Other receivables comprise miscellaneous duties and work in progress for third  

parties etc.

Indirect production costs included in work 
in progress and finished goods (net) 

5,125 

5,090

The movements in the inventory write-downs 
can be specified as follows:
Inventory write-downs at the beginning of the year 
Inventory write-downs during the year 
Utilisation of inventory write-downs 
Reversal of inventory write-downs 

1,301 
303 
(500) 
(289) 

724
832
(139)
(116)

Inventory write-downs at the end of the year  

815 

1,301

16   Trade receivables

DKK million 

Trade receivables (gross) 
Allowances at the end of the year  

Trade receivables (net) 

Trade receivables (net) are equal to an average 
credit period of 51 days (51 days in 2010).

Trade receivables can be specified as follows:
Non-impaired trade receivables
– Not yet due 
– Overdue by between 1 and 179 days 
– Overdue by between 180 and 359 days 
– Overdue by more than 360 days 

Total exposure to credit risk 

Allowances for trade receivables1 

2011 

2010

10,241 
892 

9,127
627

9,349 

8,500

8,503 
712 
134 
0 

7,425
727
128
220

9,349 

8,500

892 

627

Trade receivables (gross) 

10,241 

9,127

Allowances for doubtful receivables can be 
specified as follows:
Carrying amount at the beginning of the year 
Confirmed losses 
Reversal of allowances for possible losses 
Allowances for possible losses during the year 
Effect of exchange rate adjustment 

Carrying amount at the end of the year 

627 
(66) 
(18) 
361 
(12) 

892 

600
(14)
(141)
164
18

627

1. Refer to segment note on p 67 for disclosure of Trade receivables and allowance for 
trade receivables per region. For further description of credit risk in the Eurozone, 
please refer to note 27 p 80.

74     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
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18   Share capital

DKK million 

Development in share capital:
2007 
2008 
2009 
2010 

At the beginning of the year 

2011 

At the end of the year 

A share 
capital 

B share 
capital 

Total share
capital

107 
– 
– 
– 

107 

– 

107 

540 
(13) 
(14) 
(20) 

493 

(20) 

473 

647
(13)
(14)
(20)

600

(20)

580

At the end of 2011, the share capital amounted to DKK 107 million in A share capital (equal to 107 million A shares of DKK 1) and DKK 473 million 
in B share capital (equal to 473 million B shares of DKK 1).

Treasury shares 

Holding at the beginning of the year 
Cancellation of treasury shares 

Holding of treasury shares, adjusted for cancellation 
Purchase during the year 
Sale during the year 
Value adjustment 

Holding at the end of the year 

Market value 
DKK million 

As % of share 
capital before 
cancellation 

As % of share 
capital after 
cancellation 

4.7% 
(3.3%) 

1.4% 

17,742 
(12,580) 

5,162 
10,839 
(244) 
374 

16,131 

1.4% 
3.2% 
(0.4%) 

4.2% 

2011 

Number of 
B Shares 
of DKK 1 
(million) 

2010

Number of
B Shares
of DKK 1
(million)

28 
(20) 

8 
18 
(2) 
– 

24 

32
(20)

12
20
(4)
–

28

Purchase of treasury shares during the year relates to the DKK 12 billion share repurchase programme for 2011 of Novo Nordisk B shares. The purpose of 
the programme was a reduction of the company’s share capital. Sale of treasury shares relates to exercised share options, long-term share-based incentive 
programme, employee share savings programmes and employee shares. In addition to the purchased treasury shares during 2011 totalling DKK 10,839 million, 
share transactions with a value of DKK 98 million in late December were due in early January 2012.

At the end of the year 4.7 million shares of the treasury B shareholding are regarded as hedges for the long-term share-based incentive programme and share 
options to employees.

19   Debt

DKK million 

Loans1 
Current debt (bank overdrafts) 
Derivative financial instruments 

Total debt 

The debt is denominated in the following 
currencies:
DKK 
EUR 
USD 
JPY 
Other currencies 

Total debt 

20   Deferred income tax assets and liabilities

2011 

2010

DKK million 

502 
351 
1,492 

1,009
57
1,158

2,345 

2,224

At the beginning of the year 
Deferred tax on profit for the year 
Adjustment relating to previous years 
Deferred tax on items recognised in 
Other comprehensive income 
Exchange rate adjustments 

2011 

2010

(1,018) 
(257) 
240 

(1,555)
(495)
593

190 
53 

346
93

Total deferred tax assets/(liabilities), net 

(792) 

(1,018)

82 
501 
983 
404 
375 

76
506
1,022
582
38

2,345 

2,224

1. Terms to maturity between 2016 and 2022 and with a weighted average interest  

rate of 0.97%.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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20   Deferred income tax assets and liabilities (continued)

DKK million 

2011
Net deferred tax asset/(liability) at 1 January 2011 
Income/(charge) to the Income statement 
Income/(charge) to Other comprehensive income 
Exchange rate adjustment 

Net deferred tax asset/(liability)  
at 31 December 2011 

Specified as follows:
Deferred tax asset at 31 December 2011 
Deferred tax liability at 31 December 2011 

2010
Net deferred tax asset/(liability) at 1 January 2010 
Income/(charge) to the Income statement 
Income/(charge) to Other comprehensive income 
Exchange rate adjustment 

Net deferred tax asset/(liability)  
at 31 December 2010 

Specified as follows: 
Deferred tax asset at 31 December 2010 
Deferred tax liability at 31 December 2010 

Property, 
plant and 
equipment 

Intangible 

Indirect 
assets  production 
costs 

Internal 
profit 

Trade 
receivables 

Tax-loss 
carry- 
forward 

Other 

Offset 
within 
countries 

Total

(1,279) 
227 

545 
(316) 

(1,272) 
(9) 

(8) 

15 

0 

2,703 
136 
41 
0 

49 
70 

(2) 

113 
(21) 

(5) 

(1,877) 
(104) 
149 
53 

– 

(1,018)
(17)
190
53

(1,060) 

244 

(1,281) 

2,880 

117 

87 

(1,779) 

– 

(792)

173 
(1,233) 

550 
(306) 

– 
(1,281) 

2,880 
– 

117 
– 

87 
– 

863 
(2,642) 

(2,256) 
2,256 

2,414
(3,206)

(1,267) 
(14) 

470 
(15) 

(1,262) 
(10) 

2 

90 

0 

2,106 
426 
171 
0 

101 
(54) 

2 

44 
61 

8 

(1,747) 
(296) 
175 
(9) 

– 

(1,555)
98
346
93

(1,279) 

545 

(1,272) 

2,703 

49 

113 

(1,877) 

– 

(1,018)

189 
(1,468) 

549 
(4) 

0 
(1,272) 

2,703 
0 

49 
0 

113 
0 

478 
(2,355) 

(2,234) 
2,234 

1,847
(2,865)

Tax-loss carry-forward
Further to the above, the tax value of tax-loss carry-forward of DKK 221 million (DKK 176 million in 2010) has not been recognised in the Balance sheet 
due to the likelihood that the tax losses will not be realised in the future. Of the unrecognised tax-loss carry-forward, DKK 2 million expires within one year, 
DKK 3 million between two to five years and DKK 216 million after more than five years. 

21   Retirement benefit obligations

Most employees in the Group are covered by post-employment retirement plans, primarily in the form of defined contribution plans but in a few cases in the 
form of defined benefit plans. Group companies sponsor these plans either directly or by contributing to independently administered funds. The nature of 
such plans varies according to the legal regulations, fiscal requirements and economic conditions of the countries in which the employees are employed, and 
the benefits are generally based on the employees’ remuneration and years of service. The obligations relate both to existing retirees’ pensions and to pension 
entitlements of future retirees.

The Group’s defined benefit plans are primarily located in Japan, Germany, the US and Switzerland. Post-employment benefit plans are usually funded by 
payments from Group companies and by employees to funds independent of the Group. Where a plan is unfunded, a liability for the retirement obligation is 
recognised in the Balance sheet. In accordance with the Accounting policies, the costs recognised for post-employment benefits are included in Cost of  
goods sold, Sales and distribution costs, Research and development costs, and Administrative expenses.

Other post-employment benefits consist mostly of post-retirement healthcare plans, principally in the US. The following shows a five-year summary reflecting 
the funding of retirement obligations and the impact of historical deviations between expected and actual return on plan assets and actuarial 
adjustments on plan liabilities.

DKK million 

Retirement benefit obligations 
Fair value of plan assets 

Net unfunded retirement benefit obligations 
Unrecognised actuarial gains/(losses)1 

Net retirement benefit obligations recognised in the Balance sheet 

2011 

2010 

2009 

2008 

2007

1,363 
(859) 

504 
(65) 

439 

1,452 
(766) 

686 
(117) 

569 

1,063 
(620) 

443 
13 

456 

1,103 
(649) 

454 
(35) 

419 

885
(566)

319
43

362

1. Actuarial gains/(losses) on plan assets and plan liabilities for the year are predominantly related to actuarial adjustments while experience adjustments are immaterial.

76     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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21   Retirement benefit obligations (continued)

DKK million 

2011 

2010 

2009

DKK million 

2011 

2010

Pension 
plans 

Medical 
benefits 

Total 

Total

Retirement benefit 
obligations
At the beginning of the year 
Current service costs 
Interest costs 
Actuarial (gains)/losses 
Past service costs 
Benefits paid  
Curtailments1 
Exchange rate adjustment 
Other 

1,138 
115 
36 
(65) 
0 
(71) 
(97) 
36 
33 

314 
40 
16 
36 
(27) 
(4) 
(144) 
7 
0 

1,452 
155 
52 
(29) 
(27) 
(75) 
(241) 
43 
33 

1,063
137
50
107
(1)
(32)
–
115
13

At the end of the year 

1,125 

238 

1,3632 

1,452

Costs recognised in the 
Income statement for the year
Current service costs 
Interest costs 
Expected return on plan assets1 
Actuarial (gains)/losses 
Curtailment 
Past service costs 
Other 

155 
52 
(28) 
17 
(241) 
(1) 
21 

137 
50 
(26) 
(11) 
– 
– 
7 

Total charge to Income statement 

(25) 

157 

118
45
(20)
30
(20)
(1)
–

152

Costs recognised in Other 
comprehensive income for the year
Effect of exchange rate adjustment 

Total charge to the Statement of  
comprehensive income 

23 

53 

–

(2) 

210 

152

1.  Curtailment relates to changes in defined benefit plans in Japan and US in 2011.
2. Present value of partly funded retirement benefit obligations amounts to DKK 1,071 
million (DKK 1,070 million in 2010). Present value of unfunded retirement benefit 
obligations amounts to DKK 292 million (DKK 382 million in 2010).

The costs are recognised in the 
Income statement as employee costs 
by function and consist of: 

DKK million 

2011 

2010

Fair value of plan assets
At the beginning of the year 
Expected return on plan assets 
Actuarial gains/(losses) 
Employer contributions 
Benefits paid to employees 
Exchange rate adjustment 
Other 

At the end of the year 

766 
28 
(20) 
128 
(75) 
20 
12 

859 

620
26
(13)
84
(19)
62
6

766

DKK million 

2011 

2010

Net retirement benefit obligations 
recognised in the Balance sheet 
Net unfunded retirement benefit obligations 
Unrecognised actuarial gains/(losses) 
on pension plans (net) 
Unrecognised actuarial gains/(losses) 
on post-employment medical benefits (net) 
Unrecognised past service costs 

At the end of the year 

504 

686

(82) 

(144)

(12) 
29 

24
3

439 

569

Amount recognised in the Balance sheet is reported as Non-current 
liabilities.

DKK million 

2011 

2010

Net retirement benefit obligations
At the beginning of the year 
Recognised in the Statement of 
comprehensive income 
Employer contributions 
Benefit paid to employees (net) 

At the end of the year 

569 

(2) 
(128) 
– 

439 

456

210
(84)
(13)

569

Defined benefit pension plans 
Post-employment medical benefits 

80 
(82) 

137 
73 

107
45

1. Actual return on plan assets was a gain of DKK 8 million in 2011 (a gain of  

DKK 13 million in 2010).

Novo Nordisk expects to contribute approximately DKK 90 million to its 
defined benefit plans in 2012 (actual DKK 128 million in 2011).

2011 

DKK 
million 

% 

DKK 
million 

575 
49 
152 
75 
8 

67% 
5% 
18% 
9% 
1% 

522 
83 
88 
63 
10 

2010

%

68%
11%
12%
8%
1%

Weighted average asset 
allocation of funded 
retirement obligations
Coverage insurance1 
Equities 
Bonds 
Cash at bank 
Property 

Total 

859 

100% 

766 

100%

1. Novo Nordisk’s defined benefit payments in Germany and Switzerland are  

reimbursed by the international insurer Allianz regardless of the value of the plan 
 assets. The only risk related to the pension in these countries is therefore counter-
party risk against Allianz.

The assumptions used for valuation of 
defined benefit plans and post-employment 
medical benefits are as follows
Discount rate 
Projected return on plan assets 
Projected future remuneration increases 
Medical cost trend rate 
Inflation rate 

2011 

2010

4% 
3% 
2% 
3% 
2% 

4%
3%
2%
5%
2%

Actuarial valuations are performed annually for all major defined benefit 
plans. The overall expected rate of return is determined based on low-risk 
investments in bonds in the relevant currencies.

The effect of a 1 percentage point increase or decrease in the medical cost 
trend rate would have an effect of below DKK 10 million (DKK 22 million in 
2010) on the service costs and the defined benefit obligation for the Group.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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22   Provisions

DKK million 

At the beginning of the year 
Additional provisions, including increases to existing provisions 
Amount used during the year 
Adjustments, including unused amounts reversed during the year 
Effect of exchange rate adjustment  

At the end of the year 

Non-current 
Current 

Total provisions 

Provisions 
for sales 
rebates 

Provisions 
for product 
returns1 

Provision 
for legal 
disputes2 

Other 
provisions3 

2011 
Total 

4,364 
9,314 
(7,787) 
(328) 
103 

5,666 

– 
5,666 

5,666 

534 
241 
(247) 
22 
5 

555 

333 
222 

555 

1,371 
795 
(151) 
(445) 
(16) 

1,554 

1,554 
– 

1,554 

398 
161 
(43) 
(31) 
4 

489 

437 
52 

489 

2010
Total

4,398
8,121
(5,914)
(221)
283

6,667 
10,511 
(8,228) 
(782) 
96 

8,264 

6,667

2,324 
5,940 

8,264 

2,023
4,644

6,667

1.  Novo Nordisk issues credit notes for expired goods as a part of normal business. Consequently, a provision for future returns is made based on historical statistical product  

returns, which represents Management’s best estimate. 

2. Provisions for legal disputes represent Management’s best estimate. Please refer to note 31 for further information on commitments and contingencies.
3. Other provisions consist of various types of provisions including employee benefits such as jubilee benefits etc. 

23   Other liabilities

DKK million 

Employee costs payable 
Accruals 
Taxes and duties payable 
R&D clinical trials 
Other payables1 

Total other liabilities 

1. Other payables primarily consist of accruals related to royalty payments, deferred income and interest accruals etc.

24   Adjustments for non-cash items

DKK million 

Reversals of non-cash income statement items
Income taxes (note 9) 
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses (note 6) 
Interest income and interest expenses, net (notes 7, 8) 
Share-based payment costs (note 29) 
Share of (profit)/loss in associated companies 

Changes in non-cash balance sheet items
Increase/(decrease) in provisions and retirement benefit obligations (notes 21, 22) 

Other adjustments
(Gains)/losses from sale of property, plant and equipment 
Unrealised (gain)/loss from marketable securities 
Other, including difference between average and year-end exchange rate, 
unrealised exchange (gain)/loss etc 

Total adjustments for non-cash items 

2011 

3,369 
2,992 
537 
211 
1,425 

8,534 

2010

3,042
3,059
318
354
1,181

7,954

2011  

2010 

2009

4,828 
2,737 
1 
319 
4 

3,883 
2,467 
265 
463 
(1,070) 

3,220
2,551
71
259
55

1,467 

2,382 

649

(3) 
28 

(264) 

71 
(43) 

31 

(3)
21

(122)

9,117 

8,449 

6,701

25   Change in working capital

26   Cash and cash equivalents

DKK million 

2011 

2010 

2009

DKK million 

2011 

2010 

2009

Trade receivables  
Other receivables and prepayments 
Inventories 
Trade payables 
Other liabilities 
Exchange rate adjustments 

(849) 
27 
256 
385 
580 
35 

(1,437) 
(441) 
327 
664 
1,141 
43 

Total change in working capital 

434 

297 

(482)
(258)
(405)
(39)
960
(55)

(279)

Cash at bank and in hand 
Bank overdrafts (note 19) 

Cash and cash equivalents  
at the end of the year 

13,408 
(351) 

12,017 
(57) 

11,296
(262)

13,057 

11,960 

11,034

78     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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27   Financial risk

Novo Nordisk has centralised the management of the Group’s financial 
risks. The overall objectives and policies for the company’s financial risk 
management are outlined in an internal Treasury Policy, which is approved 
by the Board of Directors. The Treasury Policy consists of the Foreign 
Exchange Policy, the Investment Policy, the Financing Policy and the Policy 
regarding Credit Risk on Financial Counterparts, and includes a description 
of permitted financial instruments and risk limits.

Novo Nordisk only hedges commercial exposures and consequently does 
not enter into derivative transactions for trading or speculative purposes. 
Novo Nordisk uses a fully integrated Treasury Management System to 
manage all financial positions. All positions are marked-to-market based on 
real-time quotes and risk is assessed using generally accepted standards.

Foreign exchange risk
Foreign exchange risk is the principal financial risk for Novo Nordisk and 
as such has a significant impact on the Income statement and Other com-
prehensive income, the Balance sheet and the Statement of cash flows.

The majority of Novo Nordisk’s sales are in EUR, USD, JPY, CNY and GBP. 
Consequently, Novo Nordisk’s foreign exchange risk is most significant in 
USD, JPY, CNY and GBP, while the EUR exchange rate risk is regarded as low 
due to the Danish fixed-rate policy towards EUR.

The overall objective of foreign exchange risk management is to limit the 
short-term negative impact on earnings and cash flow from exchange rate 
fluctuations, thereby increasing the predictability of the financial results.

Novo Nordisk hedges existing assets and liabilities in key currencies as  
well as future expected cash flows up to a maximum of 24 months forward. 
During 2011, the hedging horizon has varied between 10 and 15 months  
for USD, JPY, CNY and GBP. Currency hedging is based upon expectations 
of future exchange rates and mainly uses foreign exchange forwards and 
foreign exchange options matching the due dates of the hedged items. 
 Expected cash flows are continually assessed using historical inflows, 
budgets and monthly sales forecasts. Hedge effectiveness is assessed on a 
regular basis. 

Key currencies:

Exchange rate 
DKK per 100 

2011
Average 
End of year 
Year-end change 

2010 
Average 
End of year 
Year-end change 

USD  

JPY  

CNY 

GBP

536 
575 
2.5% 

6.73 
7.42 
7.7% 

83 
91 
7.1% 

562 
561 
8.1% 

6.42 
6.89 
22.6% 

83 
85 
11.8% 

859
890
2.7%

869
867
5.3%

The financial contracts existing at the end of the year cover the expected 
future cash flow for the following number of months:

DKK million 

2011 

2010

USD 
JPY 
CNY1 
GBP 

12 months 
12 months 
12 months 
12 months 

15 months
14 months
12 months
10 months

1. USD used as proxy when hedging Novo Nordisk’s CNY currency exposure.

Foreign exchange sensitivity analysis:
A 5% increase/decrease in the following currencies will impact Novo 
 Nordisk’s operating profit as outlined in the table below:

DKK million 

USD 
JPY 
CNY 
GBP 

Estimated for 
2012 

775 
170 
100 
75 

2011

620
155
120
85

A 5% increase/decrease in all other currencies versus EUR and DKK would 
affect the hedging instruments’ impact on Other comprehensive income 
and Income statement as outlined in the table below:

DKK million 

2011
Other comprehensive income 
Income statement 

Total 

2010
Other comprehensive income 
Income statement 

Total 

5% increase in all 
currencies against 
DKK and EUR 

5% decrease in all
currencies against
DKK and EUR

(1,011) 
54 

(957) 

(862) 
93 

(769) 

1,026
(38)

988

893
(38)

855

The higher foreign exchange sensitivities in 2011, compared with 2010, are 
primarily a result of higher expected future cash flow, which outweighs the 
lower covers for USD and JPY as described above.

The financial instruments included in the foreign exchange sensitivity 
 analysis are the Group’s Cash, Trade receivables and Trade payables, Current 
and non-current loans, Current and non-current financial investments, 
 Foreign exchange forwards and Foreign exchange options hedging trans-
action exposure, Interest rate swaps and Cross-currency swaps.

Not included are anticipated currency transactions, Investments and Non-
current assets. 

Novo Nordisk only hedges invested equity in major foreign affiliates to a  
very limited extent. Equity hedging takes place using long-term cross- 
currency swaps. At the end of 2011, hedged equity represented 13% of  
the Group’s JPY equity. At the end of 2010, 15% of the Group’s JPY equity 
was hedged.

Interest rate risk
In general, DKK and EUR interest rates declined in 2011. The Danish two-
year interest rate was 1.08% at the end of 2011, down from 1.85% at the 
end of 2010. The three-month Cibor interest rate was 1.00% at the end of 
2011, down from 1.21% at the end of 2010.

Changes in interest rates affect Novo Nordisk’s financial instruments. At 
the end of 2011, an increase in the interest rate level of 1 percentage point 
would, all else being equal, result in a decrease in the fair value of Novo 
Nordisk’s financial instruments of DKK 17 million (a decrease in the fair 
value of DKK 8 million in 2010).

The financial instruments included in the sensitivity analysis consist of 
Marketable securities, Deposits, Current and non-current loans, Interest rate 
swaps and Cross-currency swaps. Not included are Foreign exchange for-
wards and Foreign exchange options due to the limited effect that a parallel 
shift in interest rates in all currencies has on these instruments.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
27   Financial risk (continued)

Credit exposure on Cash at bank or in hand, Marketable securities and 
Derivative financial instruments (market value)

Liquidity risk
Novo Nordisk ensures availability of required liquidity through a com-
bination of cash management, highly liquid investment portfolios and 
uncommitted as well as committed facilities. Novo Nordisk uses cash pools 
for optimisation and centralisation of cash management. For non-cash 
pool affiliates, surplus cash above the balance required for working capital 
management is deposited centrally.

Credit risk
Credit risk arises from the possibility that counterparties to transactions  
may default on their obligations causing financial losses for the Group.  
Novo Nordisk considers its maximum credit risk on financial assets to be  
DKK 17,550 million (2010: DKK 16,051 million) and DKK 11,024 million 
(2010: DKK 10,540 million) on Trade receivables, Other receivables less 
prepayments and Other financial assets (refer to note 14 for details of the 
Group’s total financial assets). 

To manage credit risk on financial counterparties, Novo Nordisk only enters 
into derivative financial contracts and money market deposits with financial 
counterparties possessing a satisfactory long-term credit rating from both 
Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s. Furthermore, maximum credit lines de-
fined for each counterparty diversify the overall counterparty risk. The credit 
risk on bonds is limited as investments are made in highly liquid bonds  
with solid credit ratings. The table to the right shows Novo Nordisk’s credit 
exposure on cash, fixed income marketable securities and financial  
derivatives.

DKK million 

2011
AAA-range 
AA-range 
A-range 
Not rated or 
below A-range 

Cash at 
bank or 
in hand 

Marketable 
securities 

Derivative 
financial 
instruments 

4,083 

6,223 
7,156 

29 

11 

16 
32 

Total

4,083
6,239
7,188

40

Total 

13,408 

4,094 

48 

17,550

2010
AAA-range 
AA-range 
A-range 
Not rated or 
below A-range 

3,857 

4,739 
7,233 

45 

69 

44 
64 

3,857
4,783
7,297

114

Total 

12,017 

3,926 

108 

16,051

Credit risk on Trade receivables and Other receivables and prepayments is 
less material as Novo Nordisk has no significant concentration of credit risk,  
with exposure being spread over a large number of counterparties and 
customers. However, due to the troubled economic climate in the Eurozone, 
the group has increased its focus on the development in the outstanding 
trade receivables from this region (please refer to note 2 for split on allow-
ance for trade receivables by geographical segments).

Capital structure
Novo Nordisk’s capital structure is characterised by a substantial equity 
ratio. This is in line with the general capital structure of the pharmaceutical  
industry and reflects the inherent long-term investment horizons in an 
industry with typically more than 10 years’ development time for pharma-
ceutical products. Novo Nordisk’s equity ratio, calculated as equity to total 
liabilities, was 57.9% at the end of the year (60.2% at the end of 2010).

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28   Derivative financial instruments 

Novo Nordisk uses a number of derivatives to hedge currency exposure. Novo Nordisk’s currency-hedging activities are categorised into hedging of forecast 
transactions (cash flow hedges), hedging of assets and liabilities (fair value hedges), and hedging of net investments. None of the derivatives are held for 
 trading. However, not all derivatives are designated for hedge accounting.

Total hedging activities
The table below summarises the fair values of all the hedging activities of Novo Nordisk.

Negative 
fair value 
at year-end 

Contract 
amount 
at year-end 

DKK million 

Currency-related instruments
Forward contracts, cash flow hedges 
Currency options, cash flow hedges 
Cross-currency swaps, cash flow hedges 
Forward contracts, fair value hedges 
Cross-currency swaps, net investment hedges 

2011 

Positive 
fair value 
at year-end 

116 

Contract 
amount 
at year-end 

18,906 
4,805 

2,534 
166 

1,256 

176 
56 

Total currency-related instruments 

26,411 

116 

1,488 

Interest-related instruments
Interest rate swaps, cash flow hedges 

Total interest-related instruments 

Total derivatives included in:
Derivative financial instruments (current assets) 
Derivative financial instruments (current liabilities) 
Equity, Other reserves 

250 

250 

4 

4 

1,492 

– 

48 

68 

2010 

Positive 
fair value 
at year-end 

108 

Negative
fair value
at year-end

658

20
411
40

108 

1,129

– 

108 

29

29

1,158

16,538 
5,929 
818 
2,318 
166 

25,769 

561 

561 

Total hedging activities 

26,661 

116 

1,492 

26,330 

108 

1,158

80     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28   Derivative financial instruments (continued)

Hedging of forecast transactions (cash flow hedge)
The table below shows the fair value of cash flow-hedging activities for 2011 and 2010 specified by hedging instrument and the major currencies. The fair 
value of the financial instruments qualifying for hedge accounting is recognised directly in Other comprehensive income until the hedged items affect 
the Income statement. At year-end, a loss of DKK 1,184 million is deferred via Other comprehensive income (a net loss of DKK 672 million in 2010). The fair 
values of the financial instruments not qualifying for hedge accounting are recognised directly in the Income statement.

DKK million 

Hedging of forecast transactions qualifying 
for hedge accounting

USD 
JPY 
GBP 
Other 

Total forward contracts (forecasted cash flow) 

USD 
JPY 

Total currency options1 (forecasted cash flow) 

EUR / USD 

Total cross-currency swaps (variable payments  
on debt instruments) 

EUR / EUR 

Total interest rate swaps (variable payments  
on debt instruments) 

Total cash flow hedges for which hedge 
accounting is applied 

DKK million 

Other forecast transaction hedges for which 
hedge accounting is not applied

USD2 
JPY2 

Total currency options 

EUR / USD3 
JPY/ DKK 

Total cross-currency swaps 

DKK / DKK 
EUR / EUR3 

Total interest rate swaps 

Total cash flow hedges for which hedge 
accounting is not applied 

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Contract 
amount 
at year-end 

2011 

Positive 
fair value 
at year-end 

Negative 
fair value 
at year-end 

Contract 
amount 
at year-end 

2010 

Positive 
fair value 
at year-end 

Negative
fair value
at year-end

14,250 
2,763 
1,314 
579 

18,906 

4,007 
798 

4,805 

– 

250 

250 

896 
276 
59 
25 

1,256 

11,264 
3,605 
1,063 
606 

16,538 

4,103 

– 

4,103 

504 

504 

251 

251 

– 

(4) 

(4) 

– 

66 
2 

68 

– 

– 

23,961 

68 

1,252 

21,396 

292
355

11

658

–

4

4

10

10

672

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Contract 
amount 
at year-end 

2011 

Positive 
fair value 
at year-end 

Negative 
fair value 
at year-end 

Contract 
amount 
at year-end 

2010 

Positive 
fair value 
at year-end 

Negative
fair value
at year-end

46 
2 

48 

– 

– 

48 

– 

– 

– 

– 

1,826 

1,826 

314 

314 

310 

310 

2,450 

– 

– 

8 

8 

8 

108 

108 

– 

– 

108 

108 

–

3
13

16

11
8

19

35

707

Total contracts of forecast transactions 

23,961 

116 

1,260 

23,846 

1.  A positive value of DKK 68 million qualifying for hedge accounting has been realised during 2011 and is recognised directly under Other comprehensive income until the hedged  
items affect the Income statement. Contract amount at year-end relates to options not yet realised. As the time value of options does not qualify for hedge accounting that part is 
presented in the table below.

2. The positive value represents the time value of the options for which hedge accounting cannot be applied. 
3. The contract value is disclosed in the table above. The negative fair value is related to the period before hedge accounting was applied.

The maturity of the swaps existing at the end of 2011 is December 2012 (December 2011 and December 2012 at the end of 2010). 

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     81

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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28   Derivative financial instruments (continued)

Hedging of assets and liabilities (fair value hedge)
The table below shows the fair value of fair value-hedging activities for 2011 and 2010 specified by hedging instrument and the major currencies. 
All changes in fair values are recognised in the Income statement, amounting to a loss of DKK 176 million in 2011 (a net loss of DKK 411 million in 2010). 
As the hedges are highly effective, the net gain or loss on the hedged items is similar to the net loss or gain on the hedging instruments.

DKK million 

USD 
JPY 
GBP 
Other 

Total forward contracts 

Total hedging of assets and liabilities 

Contract 
amount 
at year-end 

2011 

Positive 
fair value 
at year-end 

Negative 
fair value 
at year-end 

Contract 
amount 
at year-end 

2010 

Positive 
fair value 
at year-end 

Negative
fair value
at year-end

478 
731 
376 
949 

2,534 

2,534 

81 
72 
7 
16 

176 

176 

– 

– 

890 
647 
262 
519 

2,318 

2,318 

225
166
7
13

411

411

– 

– 

The financial contracts existing at the end of the year hedge the currency exposure on assets and liabilities in the Group’s major currencies other than DKK  
and EUR, ie primarily assets and liabilities in USD, JPY and GBP. Other comprises AUD at DKK 399 million (DKK 161 million in 2010), CAD at DKK 170 million 
(DKK 0 in 2010) and PLN at DKK 380 million (DKK 358 million in 2010).

Hedging of net investments in foreign subsidiaries (net investment hedge)
The table below shows the fair value of hedging activities relating to net investments in foreign subsidiaries for 2011 and 2010 specified by hedging 
instrument and the major currencies. All changes in fair values relating to currency are recognised directly in Other comprehensive income.

DKK million 

Total cross-currency swap JPY/DKK 

Total hedging of net investments in foreign subsidiaries 

Contract 
amount 
at year-end 

166 

166 

2011 

Positive 
fair value 
at year-end 

Negative 
fair value 
at year-end 

Contract 
amount 
at year-end 

56 

56 

– 

166 

166 

2010 

Positive 
fair value 
at year-end 

– 

Negative
fair value
at year-end

40

40

The maturity of the swap existing at the end of 2011 is November 2012 (November 2012 at the end of 2010). The financial contract existing at the end  
of the year hedge 13% (15% in 2010) of the net investments in JPY. No other net investments have been hedged.

Presentation in the Income statement and Other comprehensive income
The fair value adjustments are recognised as follows:

DKK million 

Fair value through the Income statement
Cash flow hedges for which hedge accounting is not applied 
Fair value hedges 

Total fair value adjustments through the Income statement 

Fair value through Other comprehensive income
Cash flow hedges for which hedge accounting is applied 
Net investment hedges (included in exchange rate adjustment) 

Total fair value adjustments through  
Other comprehensive income 

Total fair value adjustments 

Contract 
amount 
at year-end 

2011 

Positive 
fair value 
at year-end 

Negative 
fair value 
at year-end 

Contract 
amount 
at year-end 

2010 

Positive 
fair value 
at year-end 

Negative
fair value
at year-end

48 

48 

68 

8 
176 

184 

1,252 
56 

68 

1,308 

116 

1,492 

– 

– 

– 

108 

108 

– 

35
411

446

672
40

712

108 

1,158

– 

– 

– 

82     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29   Share-based payment schemes

The total number of shares in the joint pools relating to the years 2009, 
2010 and 2011 is as follows:

DKK million 

2011 

2010 

2009

Employee shares 
Long-term share-based incentive 
programme (Senior Management Board) 
Long-term share-based incentive 
programme and share options 
(Management group below 
Senior Management Board)1 

96 

57 

241 

64 

49

54

166 

158 

156

Share-based payment expensed in the  
Income statement 

319 

463 

259

1. Includes long-term share-based incentive programme for 2007–2011 and share  

option programme for 2006.

Employee shares
In 2010, a general employee share programme was implemented in 
Denmark with exercise in 2010. Outside Denmark the programme was 
structured as share options with the same initial benefit per employee as in 
Denmark. The cost of the programme outside Denmark is amortised over 
the period 2010 –2013.

Long-term share-based incentive programme
For a description of the programme, please refer to the ‘Remuneration 
report’ in the section ‘Corporate governance, remuneration and leadership’, 
pp 44 – 47.

On 1 February 2012, The Board of Directors approved the establishment  
of a joint pool, for members of the Senior Management Board, for the 
financial year 2011 by allocating a total of 89,712 Novo Nordisk B shares. 
This allocation amounts on average to 6.5 months fixed base salary plus 
pension contribution per participant, corresponding to a value at launch of  
the programme of DKK 57 million. This amount was expensed in 2011. The 
share price used for the conversion was the average share price (DKK 634) 
for Novo Nordisk B shares on NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen in the period 
2–16 February 2011. Based on the split of participants when the joint 
pool was established, approximately 30% of the pool will be allocated to 
 members of Executive Management and 70% to other members of the 
Senior Management Board. 

The shares allocated to the joint pool for 2008 (166,302 shares), 
 corresponding to a value at launch of the programme of DKK 55 million 
expensed in 2008, were released to the individual participants subsequent 
to the approval of the Annual Report 2011 by the Board of Directors and 
after the announcement on 2 February 2012 of the 2011 full year financial 
results.

For the management group below the Senior Management Board, a 
share-based incentive programme with similar performance criteria was 
introduced in 2007.

The shares allocated to the joint pool for 2008 (508,944 shares), corre-
sponding to a value at launch of the programme of DKK 181 million  
amortised over the period 2008 –2011, were released to the individual  
participants subsequent to the approval of the Annual Report 2011 by the 
Board of Directors and after the announcement on 2 February 2012 of the 
2011 full year financial results. The number of shares to be transferred is 
lower than the original number of shares allocated to the share pool as 
some participants had left the company before the release conditions of the 
programme were met. 

For 2009, this group consisted of about 675 employees. The allocation to 
the joint pool was DKK 186 million, corresponding to 605,218 shares. The 
cost of this allocation will be amortised over the period 2009 –2012.

For 2010, this group consisted of about 700 employees. The allocation to 
the joint pool was DKK 208 million, corresponding to 548,936 shares. The 
cost of this allocation will be amortised over the period 2010 –2013.

For 2011, this group consisted of about 740 employees. The allocation to 
the joint pool was DKK 188 million, corresponding to 297,133 shares. The 
cost of this allocation will be amortised over the period 2011–2014.

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Year allocated to pool 

Senior Management Board
2009 
2010 
2011 

Management group below 
Senior Management Board
2009 
2010 
2011 
Cancelled 

Total 

Number 
of shares 

177,066 
168,576 
89,712 

435,354 

605,218 
548,936 
297,133 
(51,534) 

1,399,753 

1,835,107 

Vesting

2013
2014
2015

2013
2014
2015

For the service entities NNIT and NNE Pharmaplan, separate share-based  
incentive programmes have been set up which are similar to the general 
Novo Nordisk programme but operate with entity-specific targets. In 2011, a 
general employee share programme was implemented in NNIT. In Denmark 
approximately 965 employees have purchased 38,600 Novo Nordisk shares 
at a price of DKK 310 per share equal to a cost of DKK 12 million. Outside 
Denmark the programme was  structured as share options.

Share options
Novo Nordisk established share option schemes in 1998 –2006 with the 
purpose of motivating and retaining a qualified management group and 
ensuring common goals for Management and the owners. Each option 
gives the right to purchase one Novo Nordisk B share. All share options are 
hedged by treasury shares. No options have been granted since 2006 as the 
long-term incentive programme from 2007 onwards has been share-based.

The options are exercisable three years after the issue date and will expire 
after eight years. The exercise price for options granted based on perform-
ance targets for the financial years 2000 –2006 was equal to the  market 
price of the Novo Nordisk B share at the time the plan was established. The 
options can only be settled in shares.

The internal rules for trading in Novo Nordisk securities by board members, 
executives and certain employees only permit trading in the 15-calendar-day 
period following each quarterly announcement.

Assumptions
The fair value of the Novo Nordisk B share options has been calculated 
 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

The expected volatility is calculated as one-year historic volatility – average 
of daily volatilities.

The assumptions used are shown in the table below:

Expected life of the option in years 
(average)  
Expected volatility  
Expected dividend per share (in DKK) 
Risk-free interest rate 
(based on Danish government bonds) 
Novo Nordisk B share price 
at the end of the year (in DKK) 

2011 

2010 

2009

2 
23% 
14.00 

4 
21% 
10.00 

6
26%
7.50

0.20% 

2.00% 

2.00%

660 

629 

332

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29   Share-based payment schemes (continued)

Outstanding share options in Novo Nordisk 

Average 
exercise price 
per option 
DKK 

Share 
options 

Fair value 
DKK million 

Calculated
fair value
per option
DKK

Outstanding at the end of 2009 

5,599,447 

135 

1,056 

Employee share options granted in 20101 
Exercised in 2010 – ordinary share option plans 
Exercised in 2010 – employee share options 
Expired in 2010 
Cancelled in 2010 
Value adjustment2 

273,000 
(2,363,122) 
(2,170) 
(57,708) 
(12,553) 

155 
0 
166 
135 

163 
(446) 
0 
(11) 
(2) 
950 

Outstanding at the end of 2010 

3,436,894 

110 

1,710 

Exercised in 2011 – ordinary share option plans 
Exercised in 2011 – employee share options 
Cancelled in 2011 
Value adjustment2 

(624,760) 
(506,300) 
(126,500) 

74 
0 
0 

(311) 
(252) 
(63) 
15 

Outstanding at the end of 2011 

2,179,334 

153 

1,099 

1.  Granted to all employees outside Denmark under the 2010 employee share option programme, with a benefit equal to the benefit obtained by the Danish-based employees  

under the employee share programme.

2. The fair value has been calculated using the Black-Scholes model with the parameters existing at year-end of the respective year.

189

597
189
189
189
189

498

498
498
498

504

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Management’s share options

Share options in Novo Nordisk 

Executive Management:
Lars Rebien Sørensen 
Jesper Brandgaard 
Lise Kingo 
Kåre Schultz 
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen 

At the 
beginning 
of the year 

Exercised 
during 
the year 

Additions 
during 
the year3 

At the end 
of the year 

Fair value4
DKK million

39,000 
18,500 
– 
– 
18,500 

(39,000) 
(18,500) 
– 
– 
(18,500) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

–
–
–
–
–

–

49.7

49.7

Executive Management in total 

76,000 

(76,000) 

– 

Other members of the Senior Management Board in total 

125,350 

(60,350) 

36,325 

101,325 

Total 

201,350 

(136,350) 

36,325 

101,325 

3. Additions during the year cover the holdings of share options by the Senior Management Board members appointed in 2011.
4. The fair value has been calculated using the Black-Scholes model with the parameters existing at year-end of the respective year.

84     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29   Share-based payment schemes (continued)

Exercisable and outstanding 
share options in Novo Nordisk 

2003 Ordinary share option plan 
2004 Ordinary share option plan 
2005 Ordinary share option plan 
2006 Ordinary share option plan 

Issued 
share 
options 

Exercised 
share 
options 

2,185,000 
1,618,832 
1,640,468 
2,229,084 

(1,898,550) 
(1,112,916) 
(1,045,050) 
(1,166,547) 

Outstanding/ 
exercisable 
share options 

203,784 
387,916 
439,800 
875,484 

Cancelled 

(82,666) 
(118,000) 
(155,618) 
(187,053) 

Exercise 
price 
DKK 

 98  
134 
 153  
175 

Exercise period

6/2/07 –   5/2/12
31/1/08 – 30/1/13
31/1/09 – 30/1/14
31/1/10 – 30/1/15

Exercisable at the end of 2011 

7,673,384 

(5,223,063) 

(543,337) 

1,906,984 

2008 Employee share options 
2010 Employee share options 

694,500 
273,000 

(509,350) 
(650) 

(185,150) 
– 

0 
272,350 

0 
0 

1/11/11
1/12/13

Outstanding at the end of 20115 

8,640,884 

(5,733,063) 

(728,487) 

2,179,334 

5. All share options will vest if there is a change of control of Novo Nordisk A/S.

Average market price of Novo Nordisk B shares per trading period in 2011 

2 February – 16 February 
27 April – 11 May  
5 August – 19 August  
27 October – 10 November  

Total exercised options 

Average 
market price 
DKK 

634 
640 
568 
586 

Exercised
share
options

367,710
68,550
47,700
647,100

1,131,060

30   Management’s holdings of Novo Nordisk shares

The internal rules for trading in Novo Nordisk securities by board members, executives and certain employees only permit trading in the 15-calendar-day period 
following each quarterly announcement. 

At the beginning 
of the year 

Addition 
 during the year 

Sold/transferred  
during the year 

At the end 
of the year 

Market value1
DKK million

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Board of Directors:
Sten Scheibye 
Göran A Ando 
Bruno Angelici 
Henrik Gürtler 
Ulrik Hjulmand-Lassen 
Thomas Paul Koestler 
Anne Marie Kverneland 
Kurt Anker Nielsen  
Søren Thuesen Pedersen 
Hannu Ryöppönen 
Stig Strøbæk 
Jørgen Wedel 

Board of Directors in total 

Executive Management:
Lars Rebien Sørensen 
Jesper Brandgaard 
Lise Kingo 
Kåre Schultz 
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen 

800 
1,600 
– 
– 
844 
– 
2,591 
81,704 
309 
1,600 
490 
11,000 

100,938 

10,920 
4,959 
259 
62,569 
26,427 

800 
1,600 
500 
– 
1,057 
1,600 
2,475 
81,704 
324 
2,250 
390 
15,000 

(151) 
(400) 
(120) 

(100) 

(771) 

107,700 

(9,851) 
(5,500) 
(9,893) 
(21,330) 
(8,000) 

54,970 
27,937 
344 
51,217 
48,605 

500 

213 
1,600 
35 
400 
135 
650 

4,000 

7,533 

53,901 
28,478 
9,978 
9,978 
30,178 

0.5
1.1
0.3
–
0.7
1.1
1.6
53.9
0.2
1.5
0.3
9.9

71.1

36.3
18.4
0.2
33.8
32.1

Executive Management in total 

105,134 

132,513 

(54,574) 

183,073 

120.8

Other members of Senior Management Board in total 

91,355 

151,542 

(98,447) 

144,450 

95.3

Joint pool for Executive Management and 
other members of the Senior Management Board2 

637,455 

89,712 

(160,155) 

567,0123 

374.3

Total 

934,882 

381,300 

(313,947) 

1,002,235 

661.5

1.  Calculation of the market value is based on the quoted share price of DKK 660 at the end of the year.
2. The annual allocation to the joint pool is locked up for three years before it is transferred to the participants employed at the end of each three-year period. Based on the  
split of participants when the joint pool was established, 30% of the pool will be allocated to the members of Executive Management and 70% to other members of the  
Senior Management Board. In the lock-up period, the joint pool may potentially be reduced in the event of lower-than-planned value creation in subsequent years.

3. Excludes 34,644 shares currently assigned to five retired Senior Management Board members.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31   Commitments and contingencies

The latest interest rate fixing has been used to compute the contractual 
obligation for interest on variable-rate debt instruments.

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Commitments

The total contractual obligations and recognised non-current debt as at 
31 December 2011 can be specified as follows:

Payments due by period

DKK million 

Loans 
Retirement benefit 
obligations 

Total non-current 
liabilities recognised 
in the Balance sheet 

Interest payments 
related to loans 
Operating leases1 
Purchase obligations 
Research and develop-
ment obligations 

Total obligations 
not recognised in the 
Balance sheet 

Total contractual 
obligations 

Less 
than 
1 year 

– 

13 

1–3 
years 

3 –5 
years 

97 

26 

99 

24 

More 
than 
5 years 

306 

376 

Total

502

439

13 

123 

123 

682 

941

6 
848 
1,920 

11 
1,283 
1,975 

9 
882 
4 

13 
1,999 
0 

39
5,012
3,899

1,241 

1,448 

85 

0 

2,774

4,015 

4,717 

980 

2,012 

11,724

4,028 

4,840 

1,103 

2,694 

12,665

As at 31 December 2010, the contractual obligations and recognised 
non-current debt can be specified as follows:

Less 
than 
1 year 

– 

17 

1–3 
years 

3 –5 
years 

48 

33 

97 

31 

More 
than 
5 years 

359 

488 

Total

504

569

17 

81 

128 

847 

1,073

8 
785 
1,386 

16 
1,147 
1,327 

13 
682 
1,361 

22 
813 
189 

59
3,427
4,263

1,078 

876 

475 

81 

2,510

Payments due by period

DKK million 

Loans 
Retirement benefit 
obligations 

Total non-current 
liabilities recognised 
in the Balance sheet 

Interest payments 
related to loans 
Operating leases1 
Purchase obligations 
Research and develop-
ment obligations 

Total obligations 
not recognised in the 
Balance sheet 

Total contractual 
obligations 

1. No material finance lease obligations exist in 2011 and 2010.

86     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

The operating lease commitments are related to non-cancellable operating 
leases primarily related to premises, company cars and office equipment. 
Approximately 68% of the commitments are related to leases outside  
Denmark. The lease costs for 2011 and 2010 were DKK 1,059 million and  
DKK 933 million respectively.

The purchase obligations primarily relate to contractual obligations in 
connection with investments in property, plant and equipment as well as 
purchase agreements regarding medical equipment and consumer goods. 
Novo Nordisk expects to fund these commitments with existing cash and 
cash flows from operations.

Research and development obligations contain uncertainties in relation to 
the period in which payments are due because a proportion of the obliga-
tions are dependent on milestone achievements. The due periods disclosed 
are based on Management’s best estimate. Novo Nordisk has engaged in 
research and development projects with a number of external enterprises. 
Most of these obligations relate to post-approval study on the LEADER ® 
programme. 

DKK million 

Other guarantees 
Other guarantees primarily relate to guarantees 
issued by Novo Nordisk in relation to rented 
property

Security for debt 
Land, buildings and equipment etc at carrying 
amount

2011 

2010

589 

555

1,385 

1,366

World Diabetes Foundation
At the Annual General Meeting of Novo Nordisk A/S in 2002, the share-
holders agreed on a donation to the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF), 
obligating Novo Nordisk A/S for a period of 10 years from 2001 to make 
annual donations to the Foundation of 0.25% of the net insulin sales of the 
Group in the preceding financial year. 

At the Annual General Meeting in 2008, a new donation in addition to  
the existing obligation was agreed to by the shareholders. According to  
this agreement, Novo Nordisk is obliged to make annual donations to the 
Foundation of 0.01% in the period 2008 –2010 and 0.125% in the  
period 2011–2017 of the net insulin sales of the Group in the preceding 
financial year.

The annual donation for the period 2011–2017 will not exceed the lower 
of DKK 80 million or 15% of the taxable income of Novo Nordisk A/S in the 
financial year in question. 

In 2011, the donation amounts to DKK 65 million (DKK 69 and 68 million 
in 2010 and 2009), which is recognised in Administrative expenses in the 
Income statement. The 2011 donation includes an extra donation of  
DKK 14 million to support predetermined WDF activities. Futhermore Novo 
Nordisk has committed to pay an additional amount of DKK 11 million in 
2012 to support predetermined WDF activities.

Novo Nordisk is currently involved in pending litigations, claims and 
 investigations arising out of the normal conduct of its business. Whilst 
 provisions that Management deems to be reasonable or appropriate have 
been made for probable losses, there are uncertainties connected with 
these estimates. Novo Nordisk does not expect the pending litigations, 
claims and investigations, individually and in the aggregate, to have a  
material impact on Novo Nordisk’s financial position, operating profit or 
cash flow in addition to the amounts accrued.

See note 1 for the principles for making accounting estimates and judge-
ments about pending and potential future litigation outcomes.

3,257 

3,366 

2,531 

1,105 

10,259

Contingencies

3,274 

3,447 

2,659 

1,952 

11,332

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31   Commitments and contingencies (continued)

Pending litigation against Novo Nordisk
Along with a majority of the hormone therapy product manufacturers in  
the US, Novo Nordisk is a defendant in product liability lawsuits related 
to hormone therapy products. There are currently 48 cases against Novo 
 Nordisk involving individuals who allege to have used a Novo Nordisk 
 hormone therapy product. These products (Activella® and Vagifem®) have 
been sold and marketed in the US since 2000. Until July 2003, the products 
were sold and marketed exclusively in the US by Pharmacia & Upjohn 
Company (now Pfizer Inc.). According to information received from Pfizer, 
66 individuals (compared with 72 individuals in 2010) currently allege, in 
relation to similar lawsuits against Pfizer Inc., that they too have used a 
Novo Nordisk hormone therapy product. Novo Nordisk has one case listed 
for trial in 2012. Novo Nordisk does not expect the pending claims to have 
a material impact on Novo Nordisk’s financial position, operating profit or 
cash flow.

In November 2006, Novo Nordisk A/S and the Italian affiliate Novo Nordisk 
Farmaceutici S.P.A. were sued by A. Menarini Industrie Farmaceutiche 
Riunite s.r.l. and Laboratori Guidotti S.P.A. (‘Menarini’) in the Civil Court 
in Rome. Menarini claims that Novo Nordisk breached an alleged contract 
with Menarini for the sale and distribution of insulin and insulin analogues 
in the Italian market or, alternatively, has incurred a pre-contractual or extra-
contractual liability arising from negotiations between the parties. Novo 
Nordisk disputes the claims made by Menarini. A hearing on the matter is 
scheduled to take place in July 2012. Novo Nordisk cannot predict how long 
the litigation will take or when it will be able to provide additional informa-
tion. Novo Nordisk does not expect the pending claim to have a material 
impact on Novo Nordisk’s financial position, operating profit or cash flow.

Novo Nordisk Inc. is currently a defendant in a case filed in the US alleging  
that Novo Nordisk and a number of other pharmaceutical companies 
provided a false Average Wholesale Price for certain drugs covered by 
 Medicaid. This case has been brought by the State of Louisiana. A similar 
case brought by the State of Alabama has been resolved. Novo Nordisk 
does not expect the pending claim to have a material impact on Novo 
 Nordisk’s financial position, operating profit or cash flow.

Novo Nordisk Inc. is one of more than 20 pharmaceutical companies that 
have been named as defendants in putative class action lawsuits alleging 
that their sales representatives have been denied overtime compensation by 
being improperly classified under state and federal laws. Three cases were 
filed against Novo Nordisk in 2011 in US District Courts in California, New 
York and Georgia. The plaintiffs claim that Novo Nordisk owes them and 
other purported class members back wages, as well as penalties,  interest, 
and attorneys’ fees. Novo Nordisk believes these lawsuits are without merit 
and will defend against them vigorously. In mid-June 2012 it is expected 
that the US Supreme Court will announce its decision in an appeal in a 
similar case brought against another pharmaceutical company. The Court’s 
ruling in that case could potentially influence the outcome of one or more 
of the cases pending against Novo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk does not expect 
the pending claim to have a material impact on Novo Nordisk’s financial 
position, operating profit or cash flow.

In addition to the above, the Novo Nordisk Group is engaged in certain
litigation proceedings. In the opinion of Management, settlement or
continuation of these proceedings is not expected to have a material
effect on Novo Nordisk’s financial position, operating profit or cash flow.

Pending claims against Novo Nordisk and investigations 
involving Novo Nordisk
In May 2009 Novo Nordisk entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement 
(DPA) for a three-year period with the US Department of Justice relating  
to certain actions undertaken by Novo Nordisk under the Iraq Oil for Food 
Programme. Under the terms of the DPA Novo Nordisk must comply with 
the DPA (including US regulation related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices 
Act and Foreign Assets Control) in order for the case to be dismissed. If 
Novo Nordisk breaches the DPA, the prosecution may resume.

In light of the DPA, Novo Nordisk has in 2010 identified and self-reported  
certain US Foreign Assets Control concerns to the US authorities. Novo 
 Nordisk does not expect the DPA to have a material impact on Novo 
 Nordisk’s financial position, operating profit or cash flow.

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In February 2011, the office of the US Attorney for the District of Massa-
chusetts served Novo Nordisk with a subpoena calling for the production of 
documents regarding potential criminal offences relating to the company’s 
marketing and promotion practices for the following products: NovoLog®, 
Levemir®, and Victoza®. This matter is now being conducted by the US 
Attorney for the District of Columbia. Novo Nordisk is cooperating with the 
US Attorney in this investigation. Novo Nordisk does not expect the pend-
ing claims to have a material impact on Novo Nordisk’s financial position, 
 operating profit or cash flow.

In June 2005 Novo Nordisk filed a patent infringement lawsuit against 
 Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd. (‘Caraco’), a generic pharmaceuti-
cal company, and its Indian parent, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., in 
the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan regarding Caraco’s 
abbreviated new drug application (‘ANDA’) for a generic version of Prandin® 
(repaglinide). In January 2011, the District Court ruled that Novo Nordisk’s 
US Patent No. 6,677,358 (the ‘358 patent’), which is directed toward the 
use of repaglinide in combination with metformin for the treatment of 
type 2 diabetes, is invalid and unenforceable. Novo Nordisk immediately 
appealed this decision on the merits to the US Court of Appeals for the 
Federal Circuit; the appeal is stayed pending a decision by the US Supreme 
Court in a related issue. In December 2011, following Caraco’s request 
for review, the US Supreme Court heard oral argument pertaining to the 
Federal Circuit’s reversal of an interlocutory decision by the District Court in 
Michigan regarding availability of a counterclaim to correct the FDA Orange 
Book use code narrative for Prandin®; a decision by the Supreme Court on 
this issue is expected in 2012.

Novo Nordisk is involved in patent infringement litigation with two ad-
ditional ANDA applicants for generic versions of Prandin®: Paddock Labo-
ratories and Sandoz Inc. The collateral estoppel decision in the Paddock 
case has been appealed to the Federal Circuit and is stayed pending the 
decision by the US Supreme Court. Cases involving Sandoz are pending in 
the US District Courts for the Eastern District of Michigan and New Jersey. 
Additionally, Novo Nordisk is involved in a patent infringement lawsuit  
with Lupin Ltd. in the US District Court for the Southern District of New 
York in which Novo Nordisk asserts that Lupin’s ANDA for a generic version 
of  PrandiMet® (repaglinide/metformin HCl) infringes Novo Nordisk’s 
‘358  patent’. This case is stayed pending the Federal Circuit appeal of the 
decision on the merits in the Caraco case. 

Also pending before the District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan 
is a consolidated class action where a putative class of direct purchasers of 
Prandin® asserts that Novo Nordisk has violated US antitrust laws in delay-
ing the entry of generic  versions of Prandin®.

At present, it is unclear whether or when a generic version of Prandin® or 
PrandiMet® will be available in the US market.

Novo Nordisk does not expect the pending claims related to Prandin® to 
have a material impact on Novo Nordisk’s financial position, operating profit 
or cash flow.

In addition to the above, the Novo Nordisk Group is engaged in various 
ongoing tax audits and investigations. In the opinion of Management,  
these pending audits and investigations are not expected to have a material 
effect on Novo Nordisk’s financial position, operating profit or cash flow.

Disclosure regarding Change of Control
The EU Takeover Bids Directive, as partially implemented by the Danish 
Financial Statements Act, contains certain rules relating to listed companies 
on disclosure of information that may be of interest to the market and 
potential takeover bidders, in particular in relation to disclosure of change 
of control provisions. 

For information on the ownership structure of Novo Nordisk, please refer 
to ‘Shares and capital structure’ on pp 52– 54. For information on change 
of control clauses in share option programmes, please refer to note 29, 
‘Share-based payment schemes’ on pp 83 – 85 and in relation to employee 
contracts of Executive Management of Novo Nordisk, please refer to the 
‘Remuneration report’ in the section Governance, remuneration and leader-
ship, pp 44 – 47.

In addition, Novo Nordisk discloses that the Group has significant agree-
ments to which the Group is a party and which take effect, alter or 
terminate upon a change of control of the Group following implementation 
of a take-over bid. If effected, a takeover could – at the discretion of each 
relevant counterparty – lead to the termination of one or more of such 
agreements and a total loss of approximately 4% of Novo Nordisk’s sales, 
corresponding to approximately 4% of Novo Nordisk‘s gross profit.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     87

 
 
 
 
 
 
32   Related party transactions

Novo Nordisk A/S is controlled by Novo A/S (incorporated in Denmark), 
which owns 25.5% of the shares in Novo Nordisk A/S, representing 73.2% 
of the total number of votes, excluding treasury shares. The remaining  
shares are widely held. The ultimate parent of the Group is the Novo 
Nordisk Foundation (incorporated in Denmark). Both entities are considered 
related parties.

Other related parties are considered to be the Novozymes Group due to 
joint ownership, associated companies, the directors and officers of these 
entities, and Management of Novo Nordisk A/S. 

In 2011, Novo Nordisk A/S acquired 5,100,000 B shares, worth DKK 2.9 
billion, from Novo A/S as part of the DKK 12.0 billion share repurchase  pro- 
gramme. The transaction price was DKK 571 per share and was calculated 
as the average market price from 4 to 10 August 2011 in the open window 
following the announcement of the financial results for the second quarter 
of 2011. 

In 2010, Novo Nordisk A/S acquired 5,100,000 B shares, worth DKK 2.6 
billion, from Novo A/S as part of the DKK 9.5 billion share repurchase pro-
gramme. The transaction price was DKK 503 per share and was calculated 
as the average market price from 5 to 19 August 2010 in the open window 
following the announcement of the financial results for the second quarter 
of 2010. 

In 2009, Novo Nordisk A/S acquired 3,570,000 B shares, worth DKK 1.1 
billion, from Novo A/S as part of the DKK 19 billion share repurchase pro-
gramme. The transaction price was DKK 311 per share and was calculated 
as the average market price from 6 to 7 August 2009 in the open window 
following the announcement of the financial results for the second quarter 
of 2009. 

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The Group has had the following material transactions with related parties, 
(income)/expense:

DKK million 

2011 

2010 

2009

Novo Nordisk Foundation
Donations to Steno Diabetes 
Center A/S via Novo Nordisk  

Novo A/S
Services provided by Novo Nordisk  
Purchase of Novo Nordisk B shares 
Sale of treasury shares 
(related to share options) 

Novozymes
Services provided by Novo Nordisk 
Services provided by Novozymes 

Associated companies
Purchased intangible assets and fees 
and royalties etc paid to associated 
companies by Novo Nordisk  
Received intangible assets and fees 
and royalties etc paid by associated 
companies to Novo Nordisk  

(45) 

(38) 

(32)

(2) 
2,912 

(3) 
2,567 

 (8)
1,111

– 

(2) 

(2)

(268) 
73 

(395) 
83 

(357)
118

– 

– 

16 

184

(4) 

–

Transactions with associated companies are included up until the date of 
transfer or disposal. 

There are no contingent liabilities towards associated companies. 

There have not been any material transactions with any director or officer  
of Novo Nordisk, Novozymes, Novo A/S, the Novo Nordisk Foundation  
or associated companies. For information on remuneration to the Manage-
ment of Novo Nordisk, please refer to ‘Remuneration report’ in ‘Corporate 
governance, remuneration and leadership’, pp 44 – 47, and note 4. There 
have not been and are no loans to the Board of Directors or Executive Man-
agement in 2011, 2010 or 2009.

There are no material unsettled transactions with related parties at the end 
of the year.

88     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
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33   Companies in the Novo Nordisk Group

Country 

Year of 
incorporation/ 
acquisition 

Currency 

Issued 
share capital/ 
paid-in capital 

Percentage 
of shares 
owned 

Activity

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•  •  •  •

Parent company
Novo Nordisk A/S 

Subsidiaries by region

Denmark 

1931 

DKK 

580,000,000 

– 

•  •  •  •

Austria 
Belgium 
Bosnia-Hercegovina 
Bulgaria 
Croatia 
Czech Republic 
Denmark 
Denmark 
Denmark 
Finland 
France 
France 
Germany 
Greece 
Hungary 
Ireland 
Italy 
Lithuania 
Macedonia 
Netherlands 
Norway 
Poland 

Europe
Novo Nordisk Pharma GmbH 
SA Novo Nordisk Pharma NV 
Novo Nordisk Pharma d.o.o. 
Novo Nordisk Pharma EAD 
Novo Nordisk Hrvatska d.o.o. 
Novo Nordisk s.r.o. 
FeF Chemicals A/S 
Novo Nordisk Region Europe A/S 
Steno Diabetes Center A/S 
Novo Nordisk Farma OY 
Novo Nordisk  
Novo Nordisk Production SAS 
Novo Nordisk Pharma GmbH 
Novo Nordisk Hellas Epe. 
Novo Nordisk Hungária Kft. 
Novo Nordisk Limited  
Novo Nordisk Farmaceutici S.p.A. 
UAB Novo Nordisk Pharma 
Novo Nordisk Farma dooel 
Novo Nordisk B.V. 
Novo Nordisk Scandinavia AS 
Novo Nordisk Pharma Sp. z.o.o. 
Novo Nordisk Comércio Produtos Farmacêuticos Lda.  Portugal 
Romania 
Novo Nordisk Farma S.R.L. 
Serbia  
Novo Nordisk Pharma d.o.o. Belgrade (Serbia) 
Novo Nordisk Slovakia s.r.o. 
Slovakia 
Novo Nordisk, trzˇenje farmacevtskih izdelkov d.o.o.  Slovenia 
Novo Nordisk Pharma S.A. 
Novo Nordisk Scandinavia AB 
Novo Nordisk FemCare AG 
Novo Nordisk Health Care AG 
Novo Nordisk Pharma AG 
Novo Nordisk Holding Limited 
Novo Nordisk Limited 

Spain 
Sweden 
Switzerland 
Switzerland 
Switzerland 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 

North America
Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. 
Novo Nordisk Region North America II A/S 
Novo Nordisk US Holdings Inc. 
Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical Industries Inc. 
Novo Nordisk Inc. 

Japan & Korea
Novo Nordisk Region Japan & Korea A/S 
Novo Nordisk Pharma Ltd. 
Novo Nordisk Pharma Korea Ltd. 

Canada 
Denmark 
United States 
United States 
United States 

Denmark 
Japan 
South Korea 

1974 
1974 
2009 
2005 
2004 
1997 
1989 
2002 
2008 
1972 
2003 
1959 
1973 
1979 
1996 
1978 
1980 
2005 
2006 
1983 
1965 
1996 
1984 
2005 
2005 
2007 
2006 
1978 
1971 
2003 
2000 
1968 
1977 
1978 

1983 
2011 
2007 
1991 
1982 

2002 
1980 
1994 

EUR 
EUR 
BAM 
BGN 
HRK 
CZK 
DKK 
DKK 
DKK 
EUR 
EUR 
EUR 
EUR 
EUR 
HUF 
EUR 
EUR 
LTL 
MKD 
EUR 
NOK 
PLN 
EUR 
RON 
EUR 
EUR 
EUR 
EUR 
SEK 
CHF 
CHF 
CHF 
GBP 
GBP 

CAD 
DKK 
USD 
USD 
USD 

36,336 
69,000 
97,792 
5,880,000 
5,000,000 
14,500,000 
10,000,000 
108,370,500 
1,000,000 
420,500 
5,821,140 
57,710,220 
614,062 
1,050,000 
371,000,000 
635 
516,500 
2,150,000 
14,068,285 
61,155 
250,000 
29,021,000 
250,000 
2,795,000 
640,000 
265,552 
2,679,286 
1,502,500 
100,000 
1,100,000 
159,325,000 
50,000 
2,802,130 
2,350,000 

200 
500,000 
50,000 
55,000,000 
283,837,600 

15,500,000 
DKK 
JPY 
2,104,000,000 
KRW  6,108,400,000 

100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 

100 
100 
100 
100 
100 

100 
100 
100 

•
•  •

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  • 

• 

• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 

• 

•
•

•

•
•

•

• 

•  • 

•  • 
• 

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
33   Companies in the Novo Nordisk Group (continued)

Country 

Year of 
incorporation/ 
acquisition 

Currency 

Issued 
share capital/ 
paid-in capital 

Percentage 
of shares 
owned 

Activity

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•  •  •  •

DZD 
ARS 
AUD 
BDT 
BRL 
BRL 
CLP 
DKK 
DKK 
EGP 
INR 
IDR 
IRR 
ILS 
LBP 
MYR 
MXN 
MAD 
NZD 
NGN 
PKR 
PHP 
RUB 
RUB 
SGD 
SGD 
ZAR 
THB 
TND 
TRY 
AED 
VEF 

1,742,650,000 
7,465,150 
500,001 
17,500,000 
896,834,727 
32,995,945 
758,271,200 
500,000 
113,303,310 
50,000 
265,000,000 
827,900,000 
10,000,000 
100 
600,000,000 
500,000 
387,816,547 
2,597,000 
1,000,000 
10,000,000 
43,000,000 
50,000,000 
188,243,360 
5,100,000 
12,000,000 
200,000 
8,000 
15,500,000 
400,000 
25,296,300 
100,000 
6,182,957 

USD 

374,800,000 

USD 
HKD 
TWD 

13,200,000 
500,000 
9,000,000 

DKK 
DKK 

1,000,000 
500,000 

100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
49 
100 
100 
100 
100 

100 

100 
100 
100 

100 
100 

•  • 
• 
• 
• 

• 

• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 

•  • 

• 

• 
• 

•
•

•

•

•
•

•

Denmark 

1992 

DKK 

70,419,910 

30 

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International Operations
Aldaph SpA 
Novo Nordisk Pharma Argentina S.A. 
Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty. Ltd. 
Novo Nordisk Pharma (Private) Limited 
Novo Nordisk Produção Farmacêutica do Brasil Ltda. 
Novo Nordisk Farmacêutica do Brasil Ltda. 
Novo Nordisk Farmacêutica Limitada 
Novo Nordisk Pharma Operations A/S 
Novo Nordisk Region International Operations A/S 
Novo Nordisk Egypt LLC 
Novo Nordisk India Private Limited 
PT. Novo Nordisk Indonesia 
Novo Nordisk Pars 
Novo Nordisk Ltd 
Novo Nordisk Lebanon 
Novo Nordisk Pharma (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd 
Novo Nordisk Mexico S.A. de C.V. 
Novo Nordisk Pharma SAS 
Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Ltd. 
Novo Nordisk Pharma Limited 
Novo Nordisk Pharma (Private) Limited 
Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals (Philippines) Inc. 
Novo Nordisk Limited Liability Company 
Novo Nordisk Production Support LLC 
Novo Investment Pte Limited 
Novo Nordisk Pharma (Singapore) Pte Ltd. 
Novo Nordisk (Pty) Limited 
Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand) Ltd. 
Novo Nordisk Tunisie SARL 
Novo Nordisk Saglik Ürünleri Tic. Ltd. Sti.  
Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf FZ-LLC 
Novo Nordisk Venezuela Casa de Representación C.A.  Venezuela 

1994 
Algeria 
1997 
Argentina 
1985 
Australia 
2007 
Bangladesh 
2002 
Brazil 
1990 
Brazil 
2006 
Chile 
2009 
Denmark 
2002 
Denmark 
2004 
Egypt 
1994 
India 
2003 
Indonesia 
2005 
Iran 
1997 
Israel 
2007 
Lebanon 
1992 
Malaysia 
2004 
Mexico 
2006 
Morocco 
1990 
New Zealand 
2006 
Nigeria 
2005 
Pakistan 
1999 
Philippines 
2003 
Russia 
2010 
Russia 
1994 
Singapore 
1997 
Singapore 
1959 
South Africa 
1983 
Thailand 
2004 
Tunisia 
1993 
Turkey 
United Arab Emirates  2005 
2004 

Region China
Novo Nordisk (China) Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. 
Beijing Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Science & 
Technology Co., Ltd. 
Novo Nordisk Hong Kong Limited 
Novo Nordisk Pharma (Taiwan) Ltd. 

Other subsidiaries
NNIT A/S1 
NNE Pharmaplan A/S1 

Associated companies
Harno Invest A/S 

China 

China 
Hong Kong 
Taiwan 

Denmark 
Denmark 

1994 

2006 
2001 
1990 

1998 
1989 

1. In addition to the listed companies, NNIT A/S and NNE Pharmaplan A/S have their own subsidiaries.

90     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of social performance for the year ended 31 December

Patients
People with diabetes using Novo Nordisk injectable products (million) (estimate) 
Healthcare professionals trained or educated in diabetes (1,000) 
People with diabetes trained (1,000) 
Least developed countries where Novo Nordisk sells insulin according 
to the differential pricing policy  
Donations to the World Diabetes Foundation (DKK million) 
Donations to the Novo Nordisk Haemophilia Foundation (DKK million) 
Animals purchased for research 
People participating in clinical trials 
Active patent families  
New patent families (first filings) 

Employees
Employees (total) 
Average of full-time employees  
Employee turnover  
Engaging culture (employee engagement) (scale of 1– 5) 
Diverse senior management teams 
Annual training costs per employee (DKK) 
Frequency of occupational injuries (number/million working hours) 
Absence  
Employment impact worldwide (direct and indirect) 

Assurance
Relevant employees trained in business ethics  
Fulfilment of action points from facilitations of the Novo Nordisk Way 
Supplier audits 
Product recalls 
Warning Letters and re-inspections  
Company reputation with external key stakeholders (scale of 1–7)  

Note 

2011 

2010 

2009

2 
3 
3 

4 

5 
6 
7 
7 

8 

8 
8 
8 
8 
9 
9 
10 

11 
12 
13 

24 
835 
626 

75% 
65 
16 
66,401 
22,445 
807 
80 

32,632 
31,499 
9.8% 
4.3 
62% 
10,479 
3.4 
2.3% 
118,716 

99% 
93% 
177 
5 
0 
5.6 

N/A 
373 
494 

67% 
69 
15 
62,927 
19,361 
817 
62 

30,483 
29,423 
9.1% 
4.3 
54% 
14,207 
4.9 
2.5% 
108,248 

98% 
93% 
192 
5 
0 
N/A 

N/A
425
416

73%
68
15
57,315
11,130
905
55

29,329
27,985
8.3%
4.3
50%
13,283
4.3
2.4%
96,468

N/A
93%
196
2
0
N/A

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Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     91

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes to the Consolidated social statement

1   Basis of preparation of the Consolidated 
     social statement

The Consolidated social statement is prepared in accordance with the  
Danish Financial Statements Act (FSA), section 99a. Section 99a requires 
Novo Nordisk to account for the company’s activities relating to social 
respons ibility, reporting on business strategies and activities in the areas of 
human rights, labour standards, environment and anti-corruption. Com-
panies that subscribe to the UN Global Compact and annually submit their 
Communication on Progress will be in compliance with the FSA, provided 
that the annual report includes a reference to where the information has 
been made publicly available. Novo Nordisk’s Communication on Progress 
2011 can be found at annualreport2011.novonordisk.com and on UN  Global 
Compact’s website at unglobalcompact.org/COP.

Novo Nordisk adheres to the following internationally recognised voluntary 
standards and principles:

•  AA1000 framework for accountability. The framework 

(AA1000APS(2008) and AA1000AS(2008)) states that reporting must 
provide a complete, accurate, relevant and balanced picture of  
the  organisation’s approach to and impact on society. Novo Nordisk’s 
 assurance process is designed according to AA1000AS(2008). 

•  UN Global Compact. As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, a 

stra tegic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning 
their  operations and strategies with 10 universally accepted principles  
in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, 
Novo Nordisk reports on actions during 2011 to align with the 10 
 principles in the Communication on Progress, which can be found at  
annualreport2011.novonordisk.com.

•  Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. The 
guidelines (G3) include an internationally recognised set of indicators  
for economic, environmental and social aspects of business performance 
that enables stakeholders to compare companies’ performance. Novo 
Nordisk’s reporting according to the reporting principles and guidance, 
including required disclosures, can be found at  
annualreport2011.novonordisk.com.

In addition, Novo Nordisk reports with reference to the content elements 
and guiding principles of the Inaugural Integrated Reporting Framework 
developed by the International Integrated Reporting Committee. The 
framework is currently in a pilot phase.

To Novo Nordisk, AA1000APS(2008) is a component in creating a generally  
applicable approach to assessing and strengthening the credibility of the  
company’s public reporting of social and environmental data. Novo 
 Nordisk’s assurance process has been designed to ensure that the qualitative 
and quantitative information that documents the social and environmental 
dimensions of performance as well as the systems that underpin the data 
and performance are assured. The principles outlined in AA1000APS(2008) 
have been applied as described below.

Inclusivity
As a pharmaceutical company with global reach, Novo Nordisk is commit-
ted to being accountable to those the organisation impacts. Novo Nordisk 
maps its stakeholders and has processes in place to ensure inclusion of 
stakeholder concerns and expectations. Stakeholder engagement results 
in stakeholders being involved in developing and accounting for strategic 
responses to sustainability challenges.

Materiality
Key issues are identified through ongoing stakeholder engagement and 
trendspotting and are addressed by programmes or action plans with clear 
and measurable targets. Long-term targets are set to guide long-term 
performance in strategic areas. The issues presented in the annual report 
are deemed to have a significant impact on the company’s future business 
performance and may support stakeholders in their decision-making, and 
are therefore regarded as Novo Nordisk’s material issues.

Responsiveness
The report reaches out to a wide range of stakeholders, each with their 
 specific needs and interests. To most stakeholders, however, the annual 
report is just one element of interaction and communication with the com-
pany. The annual report reflects how the company is managing operations 
in ways that respond to and consider stakeholder concerns and interests.

92     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

Defining materiality
It is Novo Nordisk’s responsibility to ensure that those areas in which the 
company has significant impact are addressed. Issues for the social and 
environmental reporting are prioritised to be reported either in the printed 
annual report (most material) or online (material, often catering to specific 
stakeholder interests), or not reported (not material). 

In assessing which information to include in the annual report, legal require-
ments and disclosure commitments made by Novo Nordisk are considered. 
Furthermore, it is assessed whether information is tied directly or indirectly 
to Novo Nordisk’s ability to create value. Short- and long-term value  
creation is taken into consideration.

The outcomes of formal reviews, research, stakeholder engagement and  
internal materiality discussions are presented as a proposal for annual 
reporting to Executive Management and the Board of Directors. In addition, 
Novo Nordisk’s external assurance provider assures whether the social and 
environmental performance data included in the annual  report cover the 
material aspects. The conclusion is available in the Independent assurance 
report on p 111.

Principles of social disclosures
The Consolidated social statement and disclosures cover Novo Nordisk A/S 
and entities controlled by Novo Nordisk A/S.

New disclosures have been added to the statement:

•  People with diabetes using Novo Nordisk injectable products (million)
•  Product recalls

Social accounting policies

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently in the 
preparation of the consolidated  social statement for all the years presented, 
with the following exceptions:

The accounting policy for ‘Company reputation with external key stake-
holders’ was previously reported on a scale of 0 –100 but is now reported  
on a scale of 1–7 with 7 being the best. Furthermore, the number will  
be reported as a two-year average for the top seven markets and weighted 
by sales. The change in accounting policy is due to changes in the data 
 col lection, hence no historical data exists.

The following accounting policies have been adjusted: 

•  ‘Healthcare professionals trained or educated in diabetes’ was previously 
reported as an accumulated number but will from this year be reported 
as the actual number of healthcare professionals trained or educated in 
diabetes within the year. This adjustment is reflected in the historical data.

•  ‘Absence’ was previously calculated based on the actual number of 

working hours in the year but is now calculated using a regional standard 
 average number of working days in a year. Historical data have been 
restated to reflect this change.

Please refer to the accounting policies below for further information on the 
social disclosures.

People with diabetes using Novo Nordisk injectable products
The number of people with diabetes using Novo Nordisk injectable products 
is an estimate, calculated by reconciling Novo Nordisk’s annual sales volume 
by product, annual product consumption per patient following different 
treatment regimes and recommended country-specific daily dose, and the 
total number of patients in the market by treatment regime. The Novo 
 Nordisk annual sales volume by product is obtained from the financial 
accounts and estimates of volume market share. Information regarding 
the annual product consumption per patient following different treatment 
regimes is collected from multiple sources (Roper reports, observational 
studies and internal market research). The total number of patients in the 
market by treatment regime is estimated using information on population 
(UN World Population), prevalence rate (IDF Diabetes Atlas, US Centers  
for Disease Control and Prevention estimates and government surveys), 
diagnosis rate (IDF Diabetes Atlas, journal articles), and treatment rates for 
insulin or GLP-1, including concomitant use (US Centers for Disease Control, 
Roper reports, market research, data from the independent data provider 
IMS health).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Healthcare professionals trained or educated in diabetes
Healthcare professionals trained or educated in diabetes is measured as  
an estimate based on registrations by affiliates and corporate functions in 
Novo Nordisk. The number reflects the total number of health care providers 
participating in Novo Nordisk-sponsored training and education activities 
during the year. 

Diverse senior management teams
Diverse senior management teams is measured as the percentage of teams 
that are diverse in terms of both gender and nationality. A senior manage-
ment team includes all managers and executive assistants reporting directly 
to an executive vice president/senior vice president. In 2011, there were 29 
senior management teams and 28 in 2009 and 2010.

People with diabetes trained
People with diabetes trained is measured as an estimate based on registra-
tions by affiliates and corporate functions in Novo Nordisk. The number 
reflects the total number of people with diabetes with whom Novo Nordisk 
has engaged during the year for educational purposes. Training is  
recognised as activities conducted, organised or funded by Novo Nordisk. 

Least developed countries where Novo Nordisk sells insulin 
according to the differential pricing policy
Novo Nordisk has formulated a differential pricing policy for the least 
 developed countries (LDCs). The purpose of the policy is to offer insulin  
to the world’s LDCs at or below a price of 20% of the average prices 
for insulin in the western world. The western world is defined as Europe 
(EU, Switzerland and Norway), the United States, Canada and Japan. The 
number of LDCs where Novo Nordisk sells insulin according to the differen-
tial pricing policy is measured by direct or indirect sales by Novo Nordisk  
via government tender or private market sales to wholesalers, distributors 
or non-governmental organisations. In 2011, 48 countries were on the  
UN’s LDC list. For 2009 –2010, the number of countries on the list was 49.

Donations to the World Diabetes Foundation
The amount includes donations in DKK and is recognised when paid out by 
Novo Nordisk to the World Diabetes Foundation during the fiscal year. 

Annual training costs per employee
Training costs cover internal and external training posted in the financial 
accounts and are calculated per employee.

Frequency of occupational injuries
The frequency of occupational injuries is measured as the number of injuries 
reported for all employees per million working hours, excluding externals, 
employees on unpaid leave, interns, bachelor and master thesis employees, 
and substitutes. An occupational injury is any work-related injury causing  
at least one day of absence in addition to the day of the injury.

Absence
The rate of absence is measured as absence due to the employee’s own 
illness, pregnancy-related sick leave, and occupational injuries and illnesses 
compared with a regional standard average of working days in the year, 
adjusted for holidays.

Employment impact worldwide (direct and indirect)
Employment impact worldwide is measured as an estimate of the direct and 
indirect jobs created by Novo Nordisk, calculated using financial records  
and general statistics from public sources such as Statistics Denmark, 
Updated Economic Multipliers for the US Economy (the Economic Policy 
 Institute), OECD and the China Statistical Yearbook.

Donations to the Novo Nordisk Haemophilia Foundation
The amount includes donations in DKK and is recognised when allocated 
by Novo Nordisk to the Novo Nordisk Haemophilia Foundation during the 
fiscal year. 

Animals purchased for research
Animals purchased for research is recorded as the number of animals  
purchased for all research undertaken at Novo Nordisk either in-house or  
by external contractors. The number of animals purchased is based on 
internal registration of purchased animals and yearly reports from external 
contractors.

Relevant employees trained in business ethics
The business ethics training is based on globally applicable Standard  
Operating Procedures (SOPs) released by the Business Ethics Compliance 
Office annually. The target groups for the individual SOPs vary in size but 
cover all employees present in Novo Nordisk at the time of the new releases 
except employees on leave and student assistants. The percentage of 
employees completing the training is calculated as the average percentage 
of completion of the SOPs. The calculation of the percentage of employees 
trained in business ethics is based on registrations in training databases and 
local archives of employees completing the relevant annual business ethics 
training. 

People participating in clinical trials
The number of people participating in clinical research (phase 1– 4, 
 excluding observational studies) is recorded as active participants in clinical 
research during the year. 

Active patent families 
Active patent families is recorded as the total number of single inventions 
covered by at least one pending or issued patent in one or more countries. 

Fulfilment of action points from facilitations of the Novo Nordisk Way
For 2011, the percentage of fulfilment of action points arising from facilita-
tions, or values audits, of the Novo Nordisk Way is measured as an average 
of timely  closure of action points issued in the current year and the two pre-
vious years. The reason for using a three-year average as the basis for the 
calculation is that action lead time typically varies from a couple of months 
to more than a year. For 2009 and 2010, the closure of action points is 
based on the Novo Nordisk Way of Management.

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New patent families (first filings)
New patent families (first filings) is recorded as the number of new patent 
applications that were filed during the year. 

Employees (total)
The number of employees is recorded as all employees except externals, 
 employees on unpaid leave, interns, bachelor and master thesis employees, 
and substitutes.

Employee turnover
The rate of turnover is measured as the number of employees, excluding  
temporary employees, who left the Novo Nordisk Group during the  
financial year compared with the average number of employees, excluding 
temporary employees.

Engaging culture (employee engagement)
For 2011, the employee engagement is measured on a scale of 1– 5, with 5 
being the best, and is an average of respondents’ answers to eight selected 
questions related to employees’ engagement in the annual employee 
 survey, eVoice, covering the Novo Nordisk Way. Employee engagement is 
a simple  average of answers given by the employees. For 2009 and 2010, 
the average was calculated using 10 selected questions related to the Novo 
 Nordisk Way of Management. 

Supplier audits
The number of supplier audits concluded (audit reports received) includes 
responsible sourcing audits and quality audits conducted in the areas of 
 direct spend materials and indirect spend materials. 

Product recalls
The number of actual product recalls is recorded as the number of times 
Novo Nordisk has instituted an actual recall and includes recalls in con-
nection with clinical trials. An actual recall can affect various countries but 
only counts as one recall.

Warning Letters and re-inspections
Warning Letters and re-inspections is measured as the number of Warning  
Letters issued by the US Food and Drug Administration in connection  
with GxP-regulated and ISO-certified areas, and the number of significant 
re-inspections issued to Novo Nordisk by any health authority globally.  
A significant re-inspection occurs following a failed inspection with global 
reach and high business impact, and involving top-level management in the 
containment and corrective actions.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     93

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5   Animals purchased for research

The number of animals purchased for research in 2011 increased by 6% 
compared with 2010 and 97% of the animals purchased in 2011 were 
rodents. The  increase in number of animals is due to the increased research 
activities within the discovery and  development of new pharmaceuticals for 
 diagnosis, care and treatment. Most significantly, the number of purchased 
mice increased from 27,773 in 2010 to 31,363 in 2011 due to an overall 
increase in the studies within diabetes care and biopharmaceuticals.

Number 

Mice and rats 
Pigs 
Rabbits 
Dogs  
Other rodents1 
Non-human primates 
Other vertebrates2 

2011 

2010 

2009

64,056 
953  
535  
344  
327 
186  
0  

60,441 
1,196 
543 
328 
86 
330 
3 

54,714
1,170
559
240
90
540
2

Total 

66,401  

62,927 

57,315

1. Other rodents are gerbils, guinea pigs and hamsters.
2.  Other vertebrates are fish, chickens, goats and frogs.

6   People participating in clinical trials

The number of people participating in clinical trials increased by 16% in 
2011 compared with 2010. The increase reflects the initiation of the phase 3 
programme evaluating liraglutide as an antiobesity agent and the LEADER® 
programme, a post-approval commitment to the European Medicines 
Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration following approval of 
liraglutide for type 2 diabetes.

Number by region 

2011 

2010 

2009

North America 
Europe 
International Operations 
Japan & Korea 
Region China 

7,741 
7,683 
5,407 
742 
872 

6,750 
6,947 
3,215 
1,367 
1,082 

3,334
4,453
1,844
239
1,260

Total 

22,445 

19,361 

11,130

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Company reputation with external key stakeholders
Company reputation with external key stakeholders is measured as the 
mean corporate brand score in the top seven markets (the US, Canada, 
China, Japan, Germany, the UK and France) weighted in accordance with 
actual sales of diabetes products. The mean corporate brand score is based 
on company  ratings (on a scale of 1–7, with 7 being the best) collected 
through interviews with primary and secondary healthcare professionals 
who are current prescribers of Novo Nordisk injectable diabetes products. 
Each market is surveyed every second year, so the score is based on a two-
year rolling average. The survey is carried out by an independent external 
consultancy firm.

2   People with diabetes using Novo Nordisk 
     injectable products

The estimated number of people with diabetes using Novo Nordisk inject-
able pro ducts in 2011 was 24 million. This is the first year of reporting this  
number hence no historical data are reported. At a regional level it is 
 estimated that of the people with diabetes using Novo Nordisk products 
14% are in North America, 23% in Europe, 42% in International Opera-
tions, 5% in Japan and Korea, and 16% in Region China.

3   Healthcare professionals trained or educated in 
     diabetes and people with diabetes trained

In 2011, 835,000 healthcare professionals are estimated to have been 
trained, educated, interacted with or reached through awareness cam-
paigns  compared with 373,000 in 2010. Furthermore, 626,000 people 
with diabetes are estimated to have been trained in 2011 compared with 
494,000 in 2010. The significant increases are due to increased activities  
in several markets and particularly in the US.

The aim is to continue activities to educate healthcare professionals to im-
prove diagnosis and treatment and to train people with diabetes to improve 
self-care.

4   Least developed countries where Novo Nordisk 
     sells insulin according to the differential pricing 
     policy

The differential pricing policy is part of the global initiatives to promote  
access to health for all least developed countries (LDCs) as defined by the 
UN. In 2011, Novo Nordisk offered the differential price to all of the 48 
LDCs. Novo Nordisk  operates in 38 of these countries and sold insulin to 
either governments or the private market in 75% (36 of 48 countries) of 
the countries according to the dif ferential pricing policy compared with 
67% (33 of 49 countries) in 2010. In 2011, Novo Nordisk operated in 
 Mozambique and Angola but did not sell insulin at the differential price. 
The governments in these two countries were offered the opportunity to 
buy insulin at the differential price but the insulin sold here in 2011 was sold 
to the private market.

In a total of 10 LDCs Novo Nordisk had no sales in 2011 for various reasons. 
In several cases, the government has not responded to the offer, there are 
no private wholesalers or other partners to work with, or war or political   
unrest makes it impossible to do business. While Novo Nordisk  prefers to  
sell insulin at the differential price through government tenders, the com-
pany is willing to sell to private distributors and agents. Novo Nordisk is 
unable to guarantee that the price at which the company sells the insulin 
will be reflected in the final price to the consumer.

94     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7   Active patent families and new patent families (first filings)

The number of patent families remained relatively stable at 807 in 2011 compared with 817 in 2010. A total of 80 new patent families were established  
in 2011, which is an increase of 29% compared with the filing activity in 2010, when 62 patent families were established. The increase in patent filings was 
primarily driven by injection devices and the inflammation therapy area.

The patent expiry dates for the product portfolio are shown in the table below. The dates provided are for expiry in the US, major European markets  
(Germany, France and the UK), China and Japan of patents on the active ingredient, unless otherwise indicated, and include extensions of patent term  
(including for  paediatric extension where applicable). For several products, in addition to the compound patent, Novo Nordisk holds other patents on  
manufacturing processes, formulations or uses that may extend exclusivity beyond the expiration of the active ingredient patent. Furthermore, data-based 
exclusivity may be available under pharmaceutical regulatory laws.

Marketed products in key markets (active ingredients)

Product 

Diabetes care:
NovoRapid ® (NovoLog ®) 
NovoMix ® 30 (NovoLog ® Mix 70/30) 
Levemir ® 
NovoNorm® (Prandin®) 
PrandiMet ® 
Victoza® 

Biopharmaceuticals:
Norditropin® (Norditropin® SimpleXx ®) 
NovoSeven® 

US 

Europe 

China 

Japan

20141 
2014 
2019 
Expired 
20183 
2022 

Expired1 
2014 –15 
2018 
Expired 
Pending 
2022 

Expired1 
Expired 
2014 
Expired 
N/A 
2017 

Expired1
2014
2019
Expired4
Pending
2022

20152 
Expired5 

20172 
Expired5 

20172 
Expired5 

20172
Expired5

1.  Formulation patent until 2017.
2. Formulation patent providing exclusivity to the composition of excipients used in the drug products.
3. Combination patent providing exclusivity to the combined use of two or more different medicines for treatment of a particular disease.
4. Possibly extendable by five years.
5. Room temperature-stable formulation patent until 2024.

8   Employees

Of the 32,632 people employed in 2011, 14,064 were employed in 
 Denmark compared with 13,535 in 2010. In 2011 the total number of 
 employees increased by 2,149 (7%) compared with an increase of 1,154 
(4%) in 2010. Employee turnover increased from 9.1% in 2010 to 9.8% in 2011.

Number by region 

2011 

2010 

2009

North America 
Europe 
International Operations 
Japan & Korea 
Region China 

4,870 
18,215 
4,549 
1,010 
3,988 

4,457 
17,752 
3,768 
995 
3,511 

4,076
17,686
3,657
978
2,932

Total  

32,632  

30,483 

29,329

Employee turnover 

9.8% 

9.1% 

8.3%

Engaging culture (employee engagement)
In 2011, the score for engaging culture (employee engagement) remained 
stable at 4.3 with a response rate in the annual eVoice survey of 92%. 

Diverse senior management teams
Diversity in the company’s senior management teams increased from 54% 
(15 of 28 teams) in 2010 to 62% (18 of 29 teams) in 2011. Among all 
employees, diversity in terms of gender was at 50%, which is the same as 
in 2010.

Annual training costs per employee
Annual training costs per employee decreased from DKK 14,207 in 2010 to 
DKK 10,479 in 2011 due to overall reductions in the spend on training, with 
the US in particular reducing spend significantly. In 2010 the US incurred 
signficantly higher expenses on training due to expansion of the sales force.

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Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     95

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9   Frequency of occupational injuries and absence

11   Supplier audits

In 2011, a sales representative in Bangladesh died in a car accident. Prior to 
this tragic accident Novo Nordisk had not had any fatal occupational injuries 
since 2004.

In 2011, 177 supplier audits were completed and no critical findings were 
issued. The table below shows the split between responsible sourcing audits 
and audits related to quality. 

In 2011, the number of occupational accidents with absence decreased 
by more than 25% compared with 2010. This develop ment significantly 
reduced the frequency of occupational injuries, which decreased from  
4.9 per million working hours in 2010 to 3.4 in 2011. The decrease is due  
to a continuous focus on occupational health and safety at Novo Nordisk.
The rate of absence also decreased slightly in 2011 to 2.3% from 2.5%  
in 2010. 

Number 

2011 

2010 

2009

Responsible sourcing audits 
Quality audits 

Total 

32 
145 

177 

26 
166 

192 

20
176

196

10   Employment impact (direct and indirect)

12   Product recalls

In 2011, Novo Nordisk created an estimated 118,716 direct and indirect  
jobs compared with 108,248 direct and indirect jobs in 2010. The employ-
ment impact in 2011 translates into an estimated 86,580 indirect global 
jobs in the supply chain from production needs and employees’ private 
consumption. The majority of indirect jobs created are due to production 
(60,373), but the effect of private consumption by Novo Nordisk employees 
is also significant (26,207). In 2010, the total number of estimated indirect 
jobs created was 78,218.

The distribution of cash value remained roughly the same compared with 
2010.

Cash value 
distribution

■ Suppliers
■ Employees
■ Investors/funders
■ Public sector (taxes)
■ Re-invested in the group

%

2011

2010

2009

0

20

40

60

80

100

In 2011, as in 2010, Novo Nordisk had five instances of product recalls 
involving different countries.Three recalls were implemented in single 
 countries due to products defects originating from the local distribution 
chains and two recalls were effectuated in several countries due to product 
defects relating to production. None of the products recalled has caused 
any harm to patients.

13   Warning Letters and re-inspections

In 2011, as in 2010, no Warning Letters were issued to Novo Nordisk by  
the US Food and Drug Administration in connection with Good Manu-
facturing Practice, Good Clinical Practice or Good Laboratory Practice 
inspections. Nor were any significant re-inspections issued to Novo Nordisk 
by any authority. In total, 76 inspections were concluded in 2011, compared 
with 2010, when 105 inspections were concluded.

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96     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of environmental performance for the year ended 31 December

Inputs
Energy consumption (1,000 GJ) 
Water consumption (1,000 m3) 
Raw materials and packaging materials (1,000 tons) 

Outputs
CO2 emissions from energy consumption (1,000 tons)  
CO2 emissions from refrigerants (1,000 tons) 
CO2 emissions from transport (1,000 tons) 
Wastewater (1,000 m3) 
Chemical oxygen demand (COD) in wastewater (tons) 
Total waste (tons) 
Non-hazardous waste (of total waste) 
Breaches of regulatory limit values  

Note 

2011 

2010 

2009

2 
3 

4 
4 
4 
5 
5 
6 
6 
7 

2,187 
2,136 
71 

93 
3 
53 
2,036 
446 
41,376 
70% 
22 

2,234 
2,047 
65 

95 
6 
57 
1,935 
555 
25,627 
54% 
18 

2,246
2,149
79

146
6
N/A
2,062
617
26,362
51%
10

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Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     97

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
t
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Notes to the Consolidated environmental statement

1   Basis of preparation of the Consolidated 
     environmental statement 

CO2 emissions from refrigerants
CO2 emissions from refrigerants is calculated by converting to metric tons 
using standard factors.

CO2 emissions from transport
CO2 emissions from transport is calculated as the estimated emissions 
from product distribution in metric tons. It is calculated as the worldwide 
distribution of semi-finished and finished products, raw materials and com-
ponents by air, sea and road between production sites and from production 
sites to affiliates, direct customers and importing distributors. CO2 emis-
sions from product distribution from affiliates to pharmacies, hospitals and 
wholesalers are not included.

Wastewater
The volume of wastewater is measured as process wastewater, sanitary 
waste water and drainage water from fortified areas. The total volume of 
waste water is calculated based on input from the production sites either 
as a direct measure of the total sum discharged to public sewer systems or 
as the total consumption of water of the site minus registered evaporation 
from cooling systems (including cooling towers and other plants from  
which evaporation occurs) and any large amount of wastewater collected 
and treated as waste.

Chemical oxygen demand (COD) in wastewater
COD is a measure of the level of pollutants in the water and is calculated 
based on in-house test results or standard factors.

Total waste
Total waste is measured as the sum of non-hazardous and hazardous waste  
disposed of based on weight receipts. Due to a change in accounting 
policy for calculation of ethanol waste, the amount of waste disposed of as 
 hazardous has increased significantly. Historical figures have been restated 
accordingly.

Non-hazardous waste (of total waste)
Non-hazardous waste is calculated as the waste disposed of as non- 
hazardous as a percentage of the total amount of waste disposed of. Due 
to the change in the accounting policy for ethanol waste, the historical 
figures for the percentage of non-hazardous waste have been restated 
accordingly.

Breaches of regulatory limit values
Breaches of regulatory limit values are all breaches reported to the 
 authorities.

The Consolidated environmental statement is prepared in accordance with 
the same standards as those for the Consolidated social statement. For a 
description of these standards, please refer to note 1 Basis of preparation of 
the Consolidated social statement on p 92.

Principles of environmental disclosures
The Consolidated environmental statement and disclosures cover Novo 
Nordisk A/S and entities controlled by Novo Nordisk A/S. 

The environmental disclosures cover the impact from the production of 
Novo Nordisk’s products. CO2 emissions also include transportation. See 
accounting policies for details.

Environmental accounting policies

The accounting policies set out below have been consistently applied in 
preparation of the Consolidated environmental statement for all the years 
 presented, with the following exception 

‘Ethanol waste’, reported as part of the total waste, was previously reported 
as 100% ethanol, meaning the actual waste amount was converted to 
100% ethanol. This was done to make it transparent how much ethanol 
was recycled/incinerated rather than how much waste was actually pro-
duced. Going forward it will be the actual amount of waste produced and 
not only the amount of ethanol that is reported. Historical data have been 
restated accordingly.

Please refer to the accounting policies below for information on the 
environ mental disclosures.

Energy consumption
Energy consumption (direct and indirect supply) is measured as both direct 
supply of energy (internally produced energy), which is energy Novo Nordisk 
produces from natural gas, fuel oil and other types, and indirect supply of 
external energy (externally produced energy), which is electricity, steam and 
 district heat. The consumption of fuel and externally produced energy is 
based on meter readings and invoices.

Water consumption
Water consumption is measured based on meter readings and invoices. It 
includes drinking water, industrial water and steam.

Raw materials and packaging materials
Raw materials and packaging materials comprise materials for production 
and related processes, and packaging of products, and is recorded based on 
registrations in the procurement system. The consumption of raw materials 
and packaging is converted to metric tons.

CO2 emissions from energy consumption 
The amount of CO2 emissions from energy consumption covers consump-
tion related to production measured in metric tons. The CO2 emissions 
from  energy consumption are calculated according to the GHG protocol. 
Emissions of CO2 from energy consumption are based on standard factors 
for own fuel consumption, and for energy supplied from external energy 
suppliers on a three-year average of available emission factors. Hence, emis-
sion factors for 2011 are the three-year average of 2008 –2010. 

98     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2   Energy consumption

In 2011, the consumption of energy decreased by 2% compared with 2010 
even though production increased. The decrease was obtained through 
con tinuous process optimisations and energy management.

1,000 GJ 

Diabetes care 
Biopharmaceuticals 
Other1 

Total 

2011 

2010 

2009

1,515 
280 
392 

1,513 
298 
423 

1,544
292
410

2,187 

2,234 

2,246

1. ‘Other’ consists of consumption that cannot directly be linked to the production of 

either diabetes care or biopharmaceuticals.

3   Water consumption

The consumption of water increased by 4% in 2011 compared with 2010, 
reflecting increased production. The increase is relatively small compared 
with the increase in production due to continuous process optimisations 
and water-saving projects at sites with high water consumption.

1,000 m3 

Diabetes care 
Biopharmaceuticals 
Other1 

Total 

2011 

2010 

2009

1,853 
142 
141 

1,719 
142 
186 

1,817
143
189

2,136 

2,047 

2,149

5   Wastewater and chemical oxygen demand (COD) 
     in wastewater

The total volume of wastewater increased by 5% from 1,935,000 m3 in 
2010 to 2,036,000 m3 in 2011,  primarily due to increased water consump-
tion. The quantity of discharged COD in the wastewater decreased by 20% 
due to changes in the wastewater handling at a pilot facility and production 
variance in general.

6   Waste

In 2011, the total amount of waste increased by 61% from 25,691 tons in 
2010 to 41,376 tons. This significant increase was solely due to the disposal 
of a large amount of yeast slurry. This waste fraction was previously used  
as pig feed, but due to changes in regulatory requirements from 2011 the  
yeast slurry is now sent to a biogas plant. This change impacts the quantity 
of non-hazardous waste recycled, which increased significantly. Excluding 
the yeast slurry, the amount of waste disposed of in 2011  remained stable 
compared with 2010 even though production increased. 

Tons 

Non-hazardous waste 
– Recycled (%) 
– Incinerated (%)1 
– Landfill (%) 
– Special treatment (%) 
Hazardous waste2 
– Recycled ethanol (%)3 
– Incinerated ethanol (%)4 
– Other (%) 

2011 

2010 

2009

29,131  
79 
11 
3 
7 
12,245 
48 
27 
25 

13,911 
53 
20 
7 
20 
11,716 
48 
29 
23 

13,432
57
21
5
17
12,930
51
26
23

1. ‘Other’ consists of consumption that cannot be directly linked to the production of 

diabetes care or biopharmaceuticals.

Total2 

41,376 

25,627 

26,362

4   CO2 emissions

The reduction of CO2 emissions from refrigerants was due to the con-
tinuous focus on eliminating refrigerants with a high global warming 
 potential and a high focus on maintenance and servicing of cooling systems.

1,000 tons 

2011 

2010 

2009

CO2 emissions from energy consumption 
– Diabetes care 
– Biopharmaceuticals 
– Other1 
CO2 emissions from refrigerants 
CO2 emissions from transport 

93 
69 
8 
16 
3 
53 

95 
68 
9 
18 
6 
57 

Total 

149 

158 

146
99
19
28
6
N/A

N/A

1. ‘Other’ consists of consumption that cannot directly be linked to the production of 

either diabetes care or biopharmaceuticals.

Recycling percentage of total waste 

70% 

51% 

55%

1.  Of which 94% with energy recovery.
2. Due to a change in the accounting policy for calculation of ethanol waste, the 

amount of waste disposed of as hazardous has increased significantly. Historical 
figures have been restated accordingly.

3. Ethanol recycled in eg biogas or wastewater treatment plants.
4. Incinerated at combined heat and power plants or at plants for special treatment of 

hazardous waste with energy recovery.

7   Breaches of regulatory limit values

The number of breaches of regulatory limit values increased by 22% from 
18 breaches in 2010 to 22 in 2011, mainly due to breaches related to pH 
in wastewater. All breaches were short-term events with no impact on the 
environment.

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Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     99

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary of financial data 2007–2011 in EUR

EUR million 

Sales 

Sales by business segment:
    Modern insulins (insulin analogues) 
    Human insulins 
    Victoza® 
    Protein-related products 
    Oral antidiabetic products (OAD) 

    Diabetes care total 

    NovoSeven®  
    Norditropin® 
    Hormone replacement therapy 
    Other products 

    Biopharmaceuticals total 

Sales by geographical segment:
    North America 
    Europe 
    International Operations1 
    Japan & Korea  
    Region China1 

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses 
Operating profit 
Net financials  
Profit before income taxes 
Income taxes 
Net profit for the year 

Total assets 
Total current liabilities 
Total non-current liabilities 
Equity 

Capital expenditure, net  
Free cash flow2 
Net cash flow 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011

5,614 

6,109 

6,860 

8,161 

8,905

1,880 
1,687 
– 
235 
288 

4,090 

788 
471 
224 
41 

2,323 
1,583 
– 
247 
321 

4,474 

858 
518 
216 
43 

2,883 
1,520 
12 
265 
356 

5,036 

950 
591 
234 
49 

1,524 

1,635 

1,824 

1,845 
2,194 
708 
596 
271 

404 
1,200 
272 
1,472 
328 
1,144 

6,401 
1,427 
658 
4,316 

304 
1,210 
220 

2,032 
2,309 
777 
638 
353 

328 
1,660 
43 
1,703 
409 
1,294 

6,792 
1,739 
627 
4,426 

235 
1,478 
552 

2,454 
2,356 
917 
657 
476 

343 
2,005 
(126) 
1,879 
433 
1,446 

7,356 
1,802 
752 
4,802 

353 
1,656 
307 

3,572 
1,588 
311 
297 
369 

6,137 

1,078 
645 
254 
47 

2,024 

3,170 
2,506 
1,119 
760 
606 

331 
2,537 
(82) 
2,455 
521 
1,934 

8,237 
2,521 
757 
4,959 

444 
2,284 
118 

3,861
1,448
804
310
346

6,769

1,120
677
276
63

2,136

3,569
2,573
1,257
835
671

367
3,003
(60)
2,943
648
2,295

8,703
2,795
871
5,037

403
2,431
149

1.  As of 1 January 2011, Region China is reported as a separate geographical region. Before 2011, Region China was part of International Operations.  

The historical figures for 2007–2010 have been restated and are comparable with the 2011 regional set-up.

2. For definitions, please refer to p 65.

The translation of Income statement items is based on the average exchange rate in 2011 (EUR 1 = DKK 7.45) and the translation of Balance sheet items is based on the exchange rate 
at the end of 2011 (EUR 1 = DKK 7.43). The figures in DKK reflect the economic substance of the underlying events and circumstances of the Group.

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100     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarterly financial figures 2010 and 2011

DKK million 

Sales 

Sales by business segment:
    Modern insulins (insulin analogues) 
    Human insulins  
    Victoza® 
    Protein-related products 
    Oral antidiabetic products (OAD) 

    Diabetes care total 

    NovoSeven®  
    Norditropin® 
    Hormone replacement therapy 
    Other products 

    Biopharmaceuticals total 

Sales by geographical segment:
    North America 
    Europe  
    International Operations1 
    Japan & Korea 
    Region China1 

Gross profit 
Sales and distribution costs 
Research and development costs 
Administrative expenses 
Licence fees and other operating income (net) 
Operating profit 
Net financials 
Profit before income taxes 
Income taxes 

  2010 

  2011

Q1 

Q2 

Q3 

Q4 

Q1 

Q2 

Q3 

Q4

13,674 

15,394 

15,584 

16,124 

15,693 

16,001 

16,532 

18,120

5,862 
2,773 
370 
503 
645 

6,792 
3,099 
296 
583 
704 

6,820 
2,963 
700 
567 
736 

7,127 
2,992 
951 
561 
666 

6,705 
2,655 
1,098 
639 
711 

6,972 
2,642 
1,250 
527 
653 

7,232 
2,698 
1,547 
574 
562 

7,856
2,790
2,096
569
649

10,153 

11,474 

11,786 

12,297 

11,808 

12,044 

12,613 

13,960

1,914 
1,083 
443 
81 

2,155 
1,245 
450 
70 

1,965 
1,233 
517 
83 

1,996 
1,242 
482 
107 

2,032 
1,252 
492 
109 

2,140 
1,180 
513 
124 

2,044 
1,275 
501 
99 

2,131
1,340
548
141

3,521 

3,920 

3,798 

3,827 

3,885 

3,957 

3,919 

4,160

5,221 
4,432 
1,835 
1,156 
1,030 

10,984 
3,984 
2,131 
711 
224 
4,382 
(65) 
4,317 
993 

5,988 
4,671 
2,213 
1,439 
1,083 

12,425 
4,364 
2,434 
745 
159 
5,041 
(433) 
4,608 
1,060 

6,114 
4,675 
2,127 
1,454 
1,214 

12,648 
4,573 
2,302 
759 
110 
5,124 
(468) 
4,656 
1,071 

6,286 
4,886 
2,160 
1,611 
1,181 

13,039 
5,274 
2,735 
850 
164 
4,344 
361 
4,705 
759 

6,035 
4,595 
2,203 
1,484 
1,376 

12,576 
4,260 
2,290 
756 
148 
5,418 
(128) 
5,290 
1,217 

6,165 
4,847 
2,415 
1,423 
1,151 

12,902 
4,633 
2,323 
778 
97 
5,265 
103 
5,368 
1,234 

6,804 
4,728 
2,286 
1,539 
1,175 

13,281 
4,724 
2,263 
788 
104 
5,610 
(154) 
5,456 
1,255 

7,582
4,998
2,463
1,777
1,300

14,998
5,387
2,752
923
145
6,081
(270)
5,811
1,122

Net profit 

3,324 

3,548 

3,585 

3,946 

4,073 

4,134 

4,201 

4,689

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses 

581 

595 

607 

684 

605 

825 

615 

692

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Total assets 
Total equity 

Financial ratios

As percentage of sales
    Sales and distribution costs 
    Research and development costs 
    Administrative expenses  
Gross margin2 
Operating profit margin2 
Equity ratio2 

Share ratios

54,155 
32,916 

57,048 
33,635 

57,162 
34,264 

61,402 
36,965 

59,001 
34,768 

61,528 
36,966 

62,013 
35,428 

64,698
37,448

29.1% 
15.6% 
5.2% 
80.3% 
32.0% 
60.8% 

28.3% 
15.8% 
4.8% 
80.7% 
32.7% 
59.0% 

29.3% 
14.8% 
4.9% 
81.2% 
32.9% 
59.9% 

32.7% 
17.0% 
5.3% 
80.9% 
26.9% 
60.2% 

27.1% 
14.6% 
4.8% 
80.1% 
34.5% 
58.9% 

29.0% 
14.5% 
4.9% 
80.6% 
32.9% 
60.1% 

28.6% 
13.7% 
4.8% 
80.3% 
33.9% 
57.1% 

29.7%
15.2%
5.1%
82.8%
33.6%
57.9%

Basic earnings per share/ADR (in DKK) 
Diluted earnings per share/ADR (in DKK) 

5.66 
5.61 

6.07 
6.02 

6.21 
6.15 

6.87 
6.82 

7.13 
7.06 

7.26 
7.21 

7.45 
7.39 

8.40
8.33

Average number of shares outstanding (million) – basic 
Average number of shares outstanding (million) – diluted  

587.6 
593.0 

584.0 
588.9 

577.6 
582.3 

572.7 
577.5 

571.6 
576.7 

569.1 
573.8 

563.5 
568.1 

557.6
561.9

Employees

Number of full-time employees at the end of the period 

29,154 

29,364 

29,515 

30,014 

30,867 

31,549 

32,016 

32,136

1. As of 1 January 2011, Region China is reported as a separate geographical region. Before 2011, Region China was part of International Operations.  

The historical figures for Q1– Q4 2010 have been restated and are comparable with the 2011 regional set-up.

2. For definitions, please refer to p 65.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     101

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Financial
statements
of the Parent
company 2011

103  Income statement
104  Balance sheet
105  Notes to the financial statements

102     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
Income statement for the year ended 31 December

DKK million 

Sales  
Cost of goods sold 

Gross profit 

Sales and distribution costs 
Research and development costs 
Administrative expenses 
Licence fees and other operating income (net) 

Operating profit 

Profit in subsidiaries, net of tax 
Share of profit in associated companies, net of tax 
Financial income 
Financial expenses 

Profit before income taxes 

Income taxes 

Net profit for the year 

Proposed appropriation of net profit:
Dividends 
Net revaluation reserve according to the equity method 
Retained earnings 

Note 

2 
3 

3 
3 
3, 4 

10 
10 
5 
5 

6 

9, 10 
9 

2011 

2010

40,452 
11,861 

37,261
11,609

28,591 

25,652

10,655 
7,851 
1,531 
651 

9,205 

10,494 
– 
437 
882 

10,196
7,998
1,385
691

6,764

9,475
1,089
437
1,884

19,254 

15,881

2,200 

1,466

17,054 

14,415

7,742 
(1,767) 
11,079 

5,700
1,573
7,142

17,054 

14,415

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Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     103

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance sheet at 31 December

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DKK million 

Assets

Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Financial assets 

Total non-current assets 

Raw materials 
Work in progress 
Finished goods 

Inventories 

Trade receivables 
Amounts owed by affiliates 
Tax receivables  
Other receivables 

Receivables 

Deferred income tax assets 
Marketable securities 
Derivative financial instruments 
Cash at bank and in hand 

Total current assets 

Total assets 

Equity and liabilities

Share capital 
Net revaluation reserve according to the equity method 
Retained earnings 

Total equity 

Deferred income tax liabilities 
Other provisions 

Total provisions 

Loans 

Non-current liabilities 

Current debt 
Derivative financial instruments 
Trade payables 
Amounts owed to affiliates 
Tax payables 
Other liabilities 

Current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

104     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

Note 

2011 

2010

7 
8 
10 

12 

9 

12 
13 

11 

1,159 
14,257 
17,443 

1,083
14,418
19,314

32,859 

34,815

1,262 
3,941 
1,967 

7,170 

1,392 
7,312 
764 
756 

10,224 

222 
4,082 
48 
12,399 

1,231
4,896
1,551

7,678

1,388
6,748
518
879

9,533

–
3,872
108
11,418

34,145 

32,609

67,004 

67,424

580 
8,225 
28,643 

600
10,149
26,207

37,448 

36,956

– 
631 

631 

502 

502 

25 
1,492 
1,582 
22,384 
1 
2,939 

204
561

765

504

504

511
1,158
1,479
23,186
–
2,865

28,423 

29,199

28,925 

29,703

67,004 

67,424

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
Notes to the Financial statements

1   Accounting policies

The Financial statements of the Parent company have been prepared in 
 accordance with the Danish Financial Statements Act (Class D) and other 
accounting regulations for companies listed on NASDAQ OMX Copen-
hagen. 

The accounting policies for the Financial statements of the Parent company 
are unchanged from the last financial year and are the same as for the 
 Consolidated financial statements with the following additions. For a 
description of the accounting policies of the Group, please refer to note 1, 
‘Basis of preparation of the consolidated financial statements’, pp 60 – 64.

Supplementary accounting policies for the Parent company

Financial assets
In the Financial statements of the Parent company, investments in sub-
sidiaries and associated companies are recorded under the equity method, 
which is at the respective share of the net asset values in subsidiaries and 
associated companies. Any cost in excess of net assets in the acquired 
company is capitalised in the Parent company under Financial assets as 
part of investments in subsidiaries (‘Goodwill’). Amortisation of goodwill is 
 provided under the straight-line method over a period not exceeding  
20 years based on estimated useful life. 

Net profit of subsidiaries less unrealised intra-Group profits is recorded in 
the Income statement of the Parent company.

To the extent it exceeds declared dividends from such companies, net 
revaluation of investments in subsidiaries and associated companies is trans-
ferred to Net revaluation reserve according to the equity method under 
Equity.

Fair value adjustments of financial assets categorised as Available for sale  
in the Parent company are recognised in the Income statement.

3   Employee costs

DKK million 

Wages and salaries 
Share-based payment costs 
Pensions 
Other social security contributions 
Other employee costs 

Total employee costs 

2011 

2010

6,725 
126 
620 
177 
257 

6,038
329
576
155
250

7,905 

7,348

Included in the Balance sheet as change 
in employee costs included in Inventories 

(91) 

(276)

For information regarding remuneration to the Board of Directors and  
Executive Management, please refer to ‘Remuneration report’ in ‘Corporate 
governance, remuneration and leadership’, pp 44 – 47, and note 4 to the 
Consolidated financial statements, p 68. 

Average number of full-time 
employees in Novo Nordisk A/S 

4   Fee to statutory auditors

DKK million 

Statutory audit 
Audit-related services 
Tax advisory services 

2011 

2010

11,559 

11,052

2011 

2010

8 
2 
8 

18 

8
4
7

19

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Profits in subsidiaries and associated companies are disclosed as profit  
after tax.

Total fee to statutory auditors 

Tax
For Danish tax purposes, the Parent company is assessed jointly with its 
Danish subsidiaries. The Danish jointly taxed companies are included in a 
Danish on-account tax payment scheme for Danish corporate income tax. 
All current taxes under the scheme are recorded in the individual com-
panies.

Statement of cash flows
No separate statement of cash flows has been prepared for the Parent com-
pany; please refer to the Consolidated statement of cash flows on p 58.

2   Sales

DKK million 

Sales by business segment1
Diabetes care total 
Biopharmaceuticals total 

Total sales 

Sales by geographical segment1
Europe 
North America 
International Operations 
Japan & Korea 
Region China 

Total sales 

2011 

2010

39,978 
474 

36,943
318

40,452 

37,261

12,308 
14,018 
6,796 
3,699 
3,631 

12,134
13,373
5,701
2,862
3,191

40,452 

37,261

Sales are attributed to geographical segment based on location of the 
customer.

1. For definitions of the segments, please refer to note 2 to the Consolidated financial 

statements, pp 66 – 67.

5   Financial income and financial expenses

DKK million 

2011 

2010

Interest income relating to subsidiaries  
Foreign exchange gain (net) 
Other financial income 

Total financial income 

Interest expenses relating to subsidiaries  
Foreign exchange loss (net)  
Other financial expenses 

Total financial expenses 

17 
– 
420 

437 

163 
337 
382 

882 

14
206
217

437

122
–
1,762

1,884

6   Income taxes

The Parent company paid income taxes of DKK 3,075 million related to the 
current year (DKK 1,838 million in 2010). In 2011, Novo Nordisk A/S received 
DKK 269 million in refund from prior year’s taxable income (a payment  
of DKK 12 million in 2010). Furthermore DKK 19 million has been paid by 
Danish subsidiaries (a refund of DKK 24 million in 2010).

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     105

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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7   Intangible assets

DKK million 

Cost at the beginning of the year 
Additions during the year 
Disposals during the year 

Cost at the end of the year 

Amortisation at the beginning of the year 
Amortisation during the year 
Impairment losses for the year 
Amortisation reversed on disposals during the year 

Amortisation at the end of the year 

Carrying amount at the end of the year 

2011 

2010

1,694 
179 
(1) 

1,872 

611 
66 
36 
– 

713 

1,331
405
(42)

1,694

550
61
–
–

611

1,159 

1,083

Intangible assets primarily relate to patents and licences and internally developed software and costs related to major IT projects.

8   Property, plant and equipment

DKK million 

Cost at the beginning of the year 
Additions during the year 
Disposals during the year 
Transfer from/(to) other items 

Land and 
buildings 

Plant and 
machinery 

Other 
equipment 

2011 

2010

Payments 
on account 
and assets 
in course of 
construction 

10,139 
143 
(146) 
372 

14,050 
165 
(512) 
594 

1,833 
88 
(123) 
55 

2,339 
1,331 

(1,021) 

28,361 
1,727 
(781) 
0 

27,306
1,898
(843)
0

Cost at the end of the year 

10,508 

14,297 

1,853 

2,649 

29,307 

28,361

Depreciation and impairment losses at the beginning of the year 
Depreciation for the year 
Impairment losses for the year 
Depreciation reversed on disposals during the year 

3,863 
437 
28 
(137) 

8,874 
1,132 
65 
(453) 

1,206 
156 

(121) 

– 

13,943 
1,725 
93 
(711) 

12,925
1,679
68
(729)

Depreciation and impairment losses at the end of the year 

4,191 

9,618 

1,241 

– 

15,050 

13,943

Carrying amount at the end of the year 

6,317 

4,679 

612 

2,649 

14,257 

14,418

106     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9   Statement of changes in equity

DKK million 

Balance at the beginning of the year 
Appropriated from Net profit for the year 
Proposed dividends 
Appropriated from Net profit for the year to Net revaluation reserve  
Effect of hedged forecast transactions transferred to the Income statement 
Fair value adjustments of cash flow hedges for the year 
Dividends paid 
Share-based payments (note 3) 
Purchase of treasury shares 
Sale of treasury shares 
Reduction of the B share capital 
Exchange rate adjustments of investments in subsidiaries  
Tax on own shares 
Other adjustments 

Share 
capital 

Net 
revaluation 
reserve 

600 

10,149 

(1,767) 

(20) 

(157) 

Retained 
earnings 

26,207 
11,079 
7,742 

658 
(1,118) 
(5,700) 
126 
(10,839) 
244 
20 
(16) 
(123) 
363 

2011 

2010

36,956 
11,079 
7,742 
(1,767) 
658 
(1,118) 
(5,700) 
126 
(10,839) 
244 
0 
(173) 
(123) 
363 

35,705
7,142
5,700
1,573
(422)
(635)
(4,400)
329
(9,498)
678
0
300
–
484

Balance at the end of the year 

580 

8,225 

28,643 

37,448 

36,956

Please refer to note 10 to the Consolidated financial statements, p 69, regarding average number of shares. 
Please refer to note 18 to the Consolidated financial statements, p 75, regarding total number of A and B shares in Novo Nordisk A/S and treasury shares.

10   Financial assets

DKK million 

Investments 
in subsidiaries 

Amounts 
owed by 
affiliates 

Investments 
in associated 
companies 

Cost at the beginning of the year 
Investments during the year 
Divestments during the year 
Transferred from associated companies to Other securities 

8,741 
64 

134 

88 
55 
(42) 

Other 
securities 
and 
investments 

560 

(31) 

Cost at the end of the year 

8,805 

101 

134 

529 

9,569 

– 

(95) 

(358) 

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Value adjustments at the beginning of the year 
Profit/(loss) before tax 
Income taxes on profit for the year 
Amortisation and impairment of goodwill 
Dividends received 
Transferred from associated companies to Other securities 
Divestments during the year 
Effect of exchange rate adjustment 
Other adjustments 

Value adjustments at the end of the year 

Offset against amounts owed by subsidiaries 
at the beginning of the year 
Additions during the year 

24,821 
13,621 
(2,629) 

(12,041) 

11 
(224) 

23,559 

(1) 

(1) 

31 
1 
(24) 

(95) 

(350) 

23,113 

24,368

2011 

2010

9,523 
119 
(73) 
– 

24,368 
13,621 
(2,629) 
– 
(12,041) 
– 
31 
11 
(248) 

9,378
677
(532)
–

9,523

21,379
13,106
(2,417)
(58)
(7,903)
–
(808)
1,030
39

102
(102)

0

At the end of the year 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Unrealised internal profit at the beginning of the year 
Change for the year – charged to Income statement 
Change for the year – charged to Equity 
Effect of exchange rate adjustment 

At the end of the year 

Carrying amount at the end of the year 

(14,577) 
(498) 

(164) 

(15,239) 

17,125 

(14,577) 
(498) 
– 
(164) 

(13,459)
(82)
(348)
(688)

– 

100 

– 

39 

– 

(15,239) 

(14,577)

179 

17,443 

19,314

Carrying amount of investments in subsidiaries and associated companies does not include capitalised goodwill at the end of the year.

A list of companies in the Novo Nordisk Group is found in note 33 to the Consolidated financial statements, pp 89 –90.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     107

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11   Non-current liabilities

14   Commitments and contingencies

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Non-current liabilities due more than five years from the balance sheet  
date amount to DKK 306 million of the total of DKK 502 million (DKK 359 
million of the total of DKK 504 million in 2010). 

12   Deferred income tax assets/(liabilities)

DKK million 

2011 

2010

The deferred tax assets/liabilities are 
allocated to the various balance sheet 
items as follows:
Property, plant and equipment 
Indirect production costs 
Unrealised profit on intra-Group sales 
Other 

(1,018) 
(874) 
1,945 
169 

(1,233)
(956)
1,780
205

Total income tax assets/(liabilities) 

222 

(204)

The deferred income tax has been calculated using a tax rate of 25%.

For a specification of deferred income tax posted directly in equity, please 
refer to note 9 to the Consolidated financial statements, p 69.

13   Other provisions

DKK million 

Non-current 
Current 

Total other provisions 

2011 

2010

474 
157 

631 

401
160

561

Provisions for pending litigations are recognised as other provisions.  
Furthermore, as part of normal business Novo Nordisk issues credit notes  
for expired goods. Consequently, a provision for future returns is made, 
based on historical product returns statistics.

DKK million 

2011 

2010

Commitments
Lease commitments 
Contractual obligations relating to 
investments in property, plant and equipment 
Guarantees given for subsidiaries 
Obligations relating to research and 
development projects 
Other guarantees and commitments 

Lease commitments expiring 
within the following periods 
from the balance sheet date
Within one year 
Between one and five years 
After five years 

Total lease commitments 

The lease costs for 2011 and 2010 were 
DKK 308 million and DKK 279 million respectively.

Security for debt
Land, buildings and equipment etc 
at carrying amount 

987 

865

11 
4,217 

2,774 
3,352 

88
1,601

2,510
3,518

196 
490 
301 

987 

157
402
306

865

1,374 

1,277

For information on pending litigation and other contingencies, please refer 
to note 31 to the Consolidated financial statements, pp 86 – 87.

15   Related party transactions

For information on transactions with related parties, please refer to note 32 
to the Consolidated financial statements, p 88.

108     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement by the Board of Directors and Executive Management on the Annual Report

Today, the Board of Directors and Executive Management approved the Annual Report of Novo Nordisk A/S for the year 2011. 

The Consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting  
Standards Board (IASB), and International Financial Reporting Standards as endorsed by the EU. The Financial statements of the Parent company, Novo  
Nordisk A/S, are prepared in accordance with the Danish Financial Statements Act. 

Further, the Consolidated financial statements, the Financial statements of the Parent company and Management’s Review are prepared in accordance with 
additional Danish disclosure requirements for listed companies. 

In our opinion, the Consolidated financial statements and the Financial statements of the Parent company give a true and fair view of the financial position at 
31 December 2011, the results of the Group and Parent company operations and consolidated cash flows for the financial year 2011. Furthermore, in our  
opinion, Management’s Review includes a true and fair account of the development in the operations and financial circumstances, of the results for the year 
and of the financial position of the Group and the Parent company as well as a description of the most significant risks and elements of uncertainty facing  
the Group and the Parent company. 

Novo Nordisk’s Consolidated social and environmental statements have been prepared in accordance with the reporting principles of materiality, inclusivity  
and responsiveness of AA1000APS(2008). They give a balanced and reasonable presentation of the organisation’s social and environmental performance.

We recommend that the Annual Report be adopted at the Annual General Meeting.

Bagsværd, 1 February 2012

Executive Management 

Lars Rebien Sørensen 
President and CEO 

Jesper Brandgaard
CFO

Lise Kingo 

Kåre Schultz 

Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen

Board of Directors 

Sten Scheibye 
Chairman 

Göran A Ando 
Vice chairman

Bruno Angelici

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Henrik Gürtler 

Ulrik Hjulmand-Lassen 

Thomas Paul Koestler

Anne Marie Kverneland 

Kurt Anker Nielsen 
Chairman of 
the Audit Committee

Søren Thuesen Pedersen

Hannu Ryöppönen 
Audit Committee member  

Stig Strøbæk 

Jørgen Wedel
Audit Committee member

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     109

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
t
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Independent Auditor’s Reports

To the Shareholders of Novo Nordisk A/S 

Report on Consolidated financial statements and 
Financial statements of the Parent Company

We have audited the Consolidated financial statements and the Financial 
statements of Novo Nordisk A/S for the financial year 2011, pp 55 – 90 and  
pp 102–108, which comprise Income Statement, Statement of Compre-
hensive Income, Balance Sheet, Statement of Changes in Equity and Notes 
including accounting policies for the Group as well as for the Parent Com-
pany and Consolidated Cash Flow Statement. 

The Consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International  
Accounting Standards Board, and International Financial Reporting 
Standards as endorsed by the EU. The Financial statements of the Parent 
Company are prepared in accordance with the Danish Financial Statements 
Act. Moreover, both the Consolidated financial statements and the Finan-
cial statements of the Parent Company are prepared in accordance with 
 additional Danish disclosure requirements for listed companies.

Management’s Responsibility for the Consolidated financial 
statements and the Financial statements of the Parent Company
The Management is responsible for the preparation of the Consolidated 
financial statements and the Financial statements of the Parent Company 
that give a true and fair view in accordance with the above legislation 
and accounting standards, and for such internal control as Management 
determines is necessary to enable preparation of Consolidated financial 
statements and Financial statements of the Parent Company that are free 
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Consolidated financial 
statements and the Financial statements of the Parent Company based on  
our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
standards on Auditing and additional requirements under Danish Audit 
regulation. This requires that we comply with ethical requirements and plan 
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 
Consolidated financial statements and the Financial statements of the  
Parent Company are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about 
the amounts and disclosures in the Consolidated financial statements and 
the Financial statements of the Parent Company. The procedures selected 
depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks 
of material misstatement of the Consolidated financial statements and the 
Financial statements of the Parent Company, whether due to fraud or error. 
In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control  
relevant to the Company’s preparation of Consolidated financial state-
ments and Financial statements of the Parent Company that give a true 
and fair view in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in 
the circumstances. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of 
accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates 
made by the Management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of 
the Consolidated financial statements and the Financial statements of the 
Parent Company. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and 
 appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Our audit has not resulted in any qualification.

Opinion
In our opinion, the Consolidated financial statements give a true and fair 
view of the financial position at 31 December 2011 of the Group and of 
the results of the Group’s operations and consolidated cash flows for the 
financial year 2011 in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and 
International Financial Reporting Standards as endorsed by the EU and  
additional Danish disclosure requirements for listed companies. Moreover, 
in our opinion the Financial statements of the Parent Company give a  
true and fair view of the financial position at 31 December 2011 and of the 
results of the Parent Company’s operations for the financial year 2011 in 
accordance with the Danish Financial Statements Act and additional Danish 
disclosure requirements for listed companies. 

Statement on Management’s Review

We have read Management’s Review, pp 2– 54 and pp 100 –101 in 
 accordance with the  Danish  Financial Statements Act.

On this basis, it is our opinion that the information provided in the Manage-
ment’s Review is consistent with the Consolidated financial statements and 
the Financial statements of the Parent Company.

Bagsværd, 1 February 2012

PricewaterhouseCoopers
Statsautoriseret Revisionspartnerselskab

Lars Baungaard
Danish State Authorised 
Public Accountant

110     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
 
Independent Assurance Report on the social and 
environmental reporting for 2011

To the Stakeholders of Novo Nordisk 

We have reviewed the Consolidated social and environmental informa-
tion in the Annual Report of Novo Nordisk A/S for the financial year 2011, 
which comprises Management’s Review, the social accounting policies and 
environmental accounting policies for social and environmental information 
and the Consolidated social and environmental statement on pp 2– 54 and 
pp 91– 99.

The assurance engagement has furthermore covered the nature and  
extent of Novo Nordisk incorporation of the AA1000 AccountAbility 
 Principles Standard (AA1000APS(2008)) principles (inclusivity, materiality 
and responsiveness) with respect to stakeholder dialogue.

Criteria for the preparation of reporting on data
The Consolidated social and environmental information is prepared in ac-
cordance with the social accounting policies and environmental accounting 
policies  described on pp 92– 94 and p 98. 

Management’s responsibility 
The Management is responsible for preparing the Consolidated social and 
environmental information, including for establishing data collection and 
registration,  internal control systems with a view to ensuring reliable  
reporting, specifying acceptable reporting criteria and choosing data to  
be collected for intended users of the report. Also, adherence to 
AA1000APS(2008) and the three principles of inclusivity, materiality and 
responsiveness is the responsibility of Management.

Assurance provider’s responsibility
Our responsibility is, on the basis of our work, to express a conclusion  
on the reliability of the Consolidated social and environmental information 
in the Annual  Report.  Furthermore, our responsibility is, by applying the 
AA1000  Assurance Standard (AA100AS(2008)), to express a conclusion 
on as well as to make recommendations for the nature and extent of Novo 
Nordisk’s adherence to the AA1000APS(2008) principles.

Our team of experts have competences in respect of assurance engage-
ments related to Consolidated social and environmental information. In 
addition, our team have competences in assessing social and environmental 
information and sustainability management, and thus qualify to conduct 
this inde pendent assurance engagement. During 2011 we have not per-
formed any tasks or services to Novo Nordisk or other clients that would 
conflict with our independence, nor have we been responsible for the 
preparation of any part of the report; and therefore qualify as independent 
as defined by in AA1000AS(2008).

Scope, standards and criteria used
We have planned and performed our work in accordance with the Inter-
national Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE) 3000, “Assurance  
Engagements other than Audits or Reviews of Historical Financial Informa-
tion”, to obtain limited assurance that the Consolidated social and environ-
mental information in the Annual Report is free of material misstatements 
and that the information has been presented in accordance with the social 
accounting policies and environmental accounting policies here for. The 
assurance obtained is limited, as our work compared to that of an engage-
ment with reasonable assurance has been limited to, principally, inquiries, 
interviews and analytical procedures related to registra tion and communica-
tion systems, data and underlying documentation.

Moreover, we have planned and performed our work based on the 
AA1000AS(2008), using the criteria in the AA1000APS(2008), to perform a 
Type 2 engagement and to obtain a moderate level of assurance regarding  
the nature and extent of Novo Nordisk’s adherence to the principles of 
 inclusivity, materiality and responsiveness. 

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Methodology, approach, limitation and scope of work
Based on an assessment of materiality and risk, our work included: 
(i) Inquiries regarding procedures and methods to ensure that social and 
environmental reporting include data from the Group’s Business Unit 
 operations, and that these data have been incorporated in compliance 
with the social accounting policies and environmental accounting policies. 
Through site visits to Bagsværd, Gentofte, Kalund borg and Clayton and 
based on requests and selected documentation, we have furthermore 
assessed the existing systems for data collection and registration, and 
 procedures to ensure reliable reporting; 
(ii) Inquiries and interviews with members of Executive Management, the 
Board and staff from the sustainability development department, as well 
as Management representing different functions in the Group, regarding 
Novo Nordisk’s adherence to the principles of inclusivity, materiality and 
responsiveness, including Management’s commitment to the principles, the 
existence of systems and procedures to support adherence to the principles 
and the embedding of the principles at corporate level. 

Conclusion
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention which causes us 
not to believe that the Consolidated social and environmental information 
presented in the Annual Report of Novo Nordisk A/S for 2011 (on pp 2– 54 
and pp 91– 99) is free of material misstatements and has been stated in 
 accordance with the social accounting policies and environmental account-
ing policies here for. 

Furthermore, nothing has come to our attention causing us to believe that 
Novo Nordisk does not adhere to the AA1000APS(2008) principles. 

Observations and recommendations
According to AA1000AS(2008), we are required to include observations 
and recommendations for improvements in relation to adherence to the 
AA1000APS(2008) principles: 

Regarding inclusivity
Novo Nordisk’s Management has a strong commitment to inclusivity and 
stakeholder engagement. Also, the Company has in place systems and 
processes to ensure a continuous mapping of relevant stakeholders, as  
well as a structured and systematic approach to ensuring the inclusion of 
stakeholder concerns, demands and expectations at a corporate level.

We recommend that Novo Nordisk continue to work on ensuring a 
 systematic and structured approach to the AA1000APS(2008) principles  
at a local level, and that the company in general continue to communicate 
and guide on stakeholder involvement internally. Finally, we recommend 
that Novo Nordisk increasingly engage in expanding social and environ-
mental competences at the company’s strategic suppliers. 

Regarding materiality
Novo Nordisk’s Management systematically takes the principle of material-
ity into consideration when making decisions regarding sustainability at 
manage ment level. Also, the Company has in place a number of relevant 
senior management level governance bodies to discuss, evaluate and 
 determine the materiality of sustainability issues on ongoing basis. 

We have no recommendations regarding materiality.

Regarding responsiveness
Novo Nordisk is committed to being responsive to stakeholders as is  evident 
from the wide range of media, forums and communication channels used 
by Novo Nordisk to communicate on sustainability issues. 

We have no recommendations regarding responsiveness.

Bagsværd, 1 February 2012

PricewaterhouseCoopers
Statsautoriseret Revisionspartnerselskab

Lars Baungaard
Danish State Authorised 
Public Accountant

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     111

 
 
 
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Index

In addition to the information reported in this integrated annual report, we report information for specific stakeholder groups at 
annualreport2011.novonordisk.com. To help you find information, this index is arranged according to the categories used online. 
An explanation of where you can find information reported in accordance with voluntary reporting standards is also included in below.

Topic

Financial

Page(s) in this report

Global Reporting Initiative Indicator

UN Global 
Compact Principles

Financial performance

5–9, 14, 56–59, 100–101

Socioeconomics

Tax contribution

Social – patients

Access to health

Donation

Support and advocacy

Clinical research

Bioethics

Animal ethics

Gene technology

Stem cell research

Safety and quality

Public affairs

Social – employees

Our employees

Wages and benefits

Workplace statistics

Diversity

Health and safety

Employee health programmes

Employee volunteering 

Social – assurance

Business ethics

Responsible sourcing

Environmental

Environmental approach

Environmental priorities

Governance

Novo Nordisk Way

Boards and committees

Managing risks

Corporate governance

Stakeholders and reporting

Stakeholder engagement

Memberships

Partnerships

Our reporting

Additional reporting

SEC Form 20-F

–

EC1, EC9

8, 14, 23–24, 56–61, 69

9–10, 21, 31–32, 34–35, 38–39

9–10, 34–35, 38–39, 86, 93

20, 38–39

10, 26–27, 93–94

EC8

SO1

PR3

–

94

–

19

10, 23, 93, 96

31–35, 37

10, 17, 20, 95

44–47, 68

95

9–10, 95

10, 20, 96

–

20

11, 21, 24

11, 96

–

PR1–4

SO5–6

EC7, LA11–12

EC5, LA3–4, LA12

LA13

LA7

LA8

SO1

SO2–3, PR6–7

EC6, HR1–2

EN13, 30

11–12, 21–22, 99

EN1, 3–5, 7–9, 11, 16, 18, 20–23, 26, 30

1–2

1–2

1–2, 7–9

1–2, 3–6

3–6

3–6

3–6

3–6

10

1–2, 3–6, 10

7–9

7–9

10–11, 17–18

41–43

22–24

41–43

21, 34, 92

–

34–35, 38–39

60–64, 92–96, 98–99

13, 43, 53

UN Global Compact – Communication on Progress 92

Global Reporting Initiative

International Integrated Reporting Framework

92

92

112     Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011

 
Our products

This report makes reference to European product trade names. The list below provides an overview of European trade names with 
accompanying generic names. Trade and generic names may differ in other markets.

Therapeutic area

Diabetes care

Modern insulins

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1

Human insulins

Diabetes devices

Oral antidiabetic agents

Biopharmaceuticals

Haemostasis

Human growth hormone

Hormone replacement therapy

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Trade name

Generic name

Levemir®

NovoRapid®

NovoMix® 30

NovoMix® 50

NovoMix® 70

Victoza® 

Insulatard®

Actrapid®

Mixtard® 30

FlexTouch®

FlexPen®

NovoPen® 4

Insulin detemir

Insulin aspart

Biphasic insulin aspart

Biphasic insulin aspart

Biphasic insulin aspart

Liraglutide

Insulin human

Insulin human

Insulin human

Prefilled insulin delivery system

Prefilled insulin delivery system

Durable insulin delivery system

NovoPen Echo®

Durable insulin delivery system

InnoLet®

NovoFine®

NovoTwist®

GlucaGen® 

NovoNorm®

PrandiMet®

NovoSeven®

Norditropin®

Prefilled insulin delivery system

Needle

Needle

Glucagon

Repaglinide

Repaglinide/metformin

Recombinant factor VIIa

Somatropin (rDNA origin)

Norditropin® FlexPro®

Prefilled multidose delivery system

FlexPro® PenMate®

Automatic needle insertion accessory

Norditropin® NordiFlex®

Prefilled multidose delivery system

NordiFlex PenMate®

Automatic needle insertion accessory

NordiPen®

Durable multidose delivery system

NordiPenMate®

Automatic needle insertion accessory

NordiLet®

Activelle®

Estrofem® 

Novofem®

Vagifem®

Prefilled multidose delivery system

Estradiol/norethisterone acetate

Estradiol

Estradiol/norethisterone acetate

Estradiol hemihydrate

Market share data on pp 7 and 31 is from IMS Health, IMS MIDAS Customized Insights (November 2011). Market definition for retail: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, 
Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, 
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK and the US. Market definition for hospitals: Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, 
China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the US.

Novo Nordisk Annual Report 2011     113

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Headquarters
Novo Nordisk A/S
Novo Allé
2880 Bagsværd, Denmark
Tel +45 4444 8888
annualreport@novonordisk.com

Transfer agents
Shareholders’ enquiries concerning dividend payments, transfer 
of share certificates, consolidation of shareholder accounts and 
tracking of lost shares should be addressed to Novo Nordisk’s 
transfer agents:

Danske Bank
Holmens Kanal 2–12
1092 Copenhagen K, Denmark
Tel +45 3344 0000

In North America:
JP Morgan Chase & Co
PO Box 64504
St Paul, MN 55164-0504, USA
Tel +1 800 990 1135
Tel +1 651 453 2128

CVR number 24 25 67 90

novonordisk.com

KELLY HECTOR
At the age of two-and-a-half, Kelly was diagnosed with type 1 
diabetes. The news came as a major shock to her parents. Since that 
day, they have had constant concern about their daughter’s health.

Now seven years old, Kelly can not remember a time when she did 
not have diabetes. She is a first-grader in elementary school in New 
Jersey, US, and makes every effort to live a normal life. She loves 
sports, especially baseball, as well as reading and art.

Kelly would love to inject insulin fewer times every day – and to 
eventually benefit from research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. 
Her father has raised over 10,000 US dollars for research through 
fundraising bike rides to benefit JDRF (formerly known as the 
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).

At Novo Nordisk’s Hagedorn Research Institute in Denmark, we are 
conducting research to tackle the roots of diabetes, in the hope of 
finding a cure for people like Kelly. In the meantime, we are raising 
awareness of the impact of diabetes and improving treatment so 
that the millions of people who must live with diabetes can live life 
to the fullest.