Novo Nordisk's history can be dated back to 1923. For more than 80 years, Novo Nordisk continues to adopt advanced biotechnology to improve the research and means of production for insulin, and therefore becomes a major force in insulin manufacturing and diabetes treatment. Novo Nordisk was the first to introduce neutral insulin & long-acting insulin, pre-mixed insulin, highly purified insulin, human insulin, insulin pens, and rapid-acting human insulin analogue. In fact, Novo Nordisk's R&D history is the history for mankind to use insulin to defeat diabetes. Novo Nordisk is the only company that has a complete insulin portfolio. The broadest diabetes product portfolio from Novo Nordisk tremendously improved the level of diabetes treatment and control, and quality of life for people with diabetes.

As early as 1960s, Novo Nordisk's products have been introduced to the China market. In 1994, Novo Nordisk Board decided to land a strategic investment project in China and set up Novo Nordisk (Tianjin) Biotechnology Co., Ltd., which was renamed as Novo Nordisk (China) Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. in December 2002. Headquartered in Beijing, Novo Nordisk has regional offices in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Shenyang and Hong Kong, production facilities in Tianjin, and R&D center in Beijing, employing approximately 430 employees.

In 1996, Novo Nordisk's first modern insulin manufacturing plant in Tianjin started production. In May, 2002, Novo Nordisk China New Factory Foundation Ceremony was held at Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area. After a year of posthaste construction, the new plant passed GMP authorization in June, 2003, and started production in August. In early 2002, Novo Nordisk set up Novo Nordisk R&D Center in Beijing, which is the first R&D center of Novo Nordisk based outside Denmark and also the first one dedicated to basic research and development by an international pharmaceutical company. Step by step, Novo Nordisk has become the leader in diabetes in China which has a complete organization system ranging from R&D, production to sales & distribution networks.

Currently Novo Nordsik's major products sold in China include:
Insulin:
Novolin® -- Biosynthetic human insulin
It is the insulin that is exactly like a human being's own insulin. Novolin has the highest purity, the rarest local anaphylaxis, better blood glucose control and the broadest range of formulations (including Novolin R, Novolin N, Novolin 30R and Novolin 50R). So diabetes therapy with Novolin® human insulin provides better blood glucose control and is suitable for different individuals with type 2 diabetes.

OHA:
NovoNorm® -- Significantly reduces elevated post-prandial blood glucose
NovoNorm is Novo Nordisk's first OHA for treating Type 2 diabetes as well as the first of a new class of drugs called prandial glucose regulators. The product has a fast-acting, short-lasting effect and no kidney toxicity. Therefore it is approved as the only suitable oral diabetes treatment for people with renal function impairment by EU. It also provides improved blood glucose control over a 24-hour period and is taken on the basis of the principle: one meal, one dose ¨C no meal, no dose.
Glucagon:
GlucaGen® Hypokit -- Recombinant glucagon
GlucaGen® Hypokit is the world's first recombinant glucagon. It can effectively increase the level of blood glucose and is the safe and easy solution to a hypoglycemic emergency. Small, compact and easy to store and carry, GlucaGen® Hypokit enables anyone to treat a hypoglycemic emergency, even without medical training.

Insulin Delivery System
NovoPen® -- Easy-to-carry and Painless insulin injection system
NovoPen is the world's first pen-type insulin injection system. It is a revolutionary turning point of diabetes care. Similar in appearance to a fountain pen, it has replaceable insulin cartridges, offers people with diabetes greater convenience and accuracy than conventional syringe. The user could just push a button to activate a virtually painless dose of insulin with a super-thin needle.
Innovo® -- Innovative insulin delivery system
Innovo® is the world's first insulin doser with a built-in electronic memory. The unique, built-in memory can record the number of units of your last insulin dose and how much time has elapsed since you took it. Small and discreet, Innovo® provides an ideal combination of confidence, accuracy and convenience, and makes insulin delivery more simple.
InnoLet®--the world's first prefilled insulin syringe specially designed to suit the needs of insulin users with poor eyesight and reduced dexterity.

Insulin analogue
NovoRapid®-- New rapid-acting insulin analogue:
NovoRapid is the first human insulin analogue available for diabetes treatment in China. It is a new rapid-acting insulin analogue which is a new modified form of human insulin. In its molecular structure, a single amino acid (proline) has been changed to an aspartic acid residue at position B28 in the insulin molecule. This change reduces the tendency of the molecules to clump together, and as a result greatly increases its speed of absorption into the bloodstream after subcutaneous injections. This rapid action allows NovoRapid® to be injected immediately before or after a meal, which gives more flexibility for people with diabetes. In addition to being more flexible, NovoRapid® also helps to improve blood control.

In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as haemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy.

While providing all major diabetes treatment products and comprehensive diabetes Rx to people with diabetes in China, Novo Nordisk is fulfilling its strong responsibilities for China environment and society by launching various commonweal activities such as professional training and academic conferences for medical professionals, NovoCare Bus, NovoCare Club, NovoCare Children's Camp, NovoCare Patient Grand Class in nationwide, China National Diabetes Management Project in collaboration with MOH and so on.

Looking forward, Novo Nordisk will continue to introduce new products into China including improved insulin injection pen, long-acting insulin analogue with an acting over a 24-hour period, inhaled insulin, insulin sensitizer, new class of OHA, ¦Â-cell function restorative, long-acting glucagon-like polypeptide, and products for haemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. For more information about Novo Nordisk, please visit: www.novonordisk.com.cn, or call: 010-6505-8787 to contact with Human Resource & Communication Department, Novo Nordisk ( China ) Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.