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Novo Nordisk today inaugurated a major expansion of its production facilities in Montes Claros, Brazil. The new plant, which is the largest manufac­turing facility of Novo Nordisk outside Denmark, represents an investment of approximately 200 million US dollars. This is the largest single investment in the history of the pharmaceutical industry in Brazil.

The inauguration took place in the presence of José Alencar Gomes da Silva, the Brazilian vice president, and the Danish prime minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

“Today, we are not just inaugurating a new factory. We are celebrating one of the most significant milestones in the history of Novo Nordisk as an inter­na­tional company. The new Montes Claros facility is a cornerstone in the company’s global operations and reflects our commitment to the Brazilian market,” says Lars Rebien Sørensen, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk.

Covering an area of 37,000 m2, the new plant contains the most advanced insulin formulation and filling technology available in the world. With the opening of the new plant, the company will have almost doubled the number of employees in Montes Claros from 400 to 750 employees by the end of this year.

The new unit will increase Novo Nordisk’s insulin manufacturing capacity in Brazil significantly. The plant will formulate and fill insulin into 3ml Penfill® cartridges, which are used in the pen systems marketed by Novo Nordisk. Approximately 95% of the total volume produced in the Montes Claros plant will be exported to other countries such as Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and later on to several developing countries.

Novo Nordisk recently approved an additional investment of 50 million US dollars for the construction of a manufacturing facility for FlexPen®, the world’s most used prefilled insulin pen, in Montes Claros. The new FlexPen® facility is expected to become operational by 2009.

Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care. The company has the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as haemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession and society. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 23,600 employees in 79 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk’s B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ‘NVO’. For more information, visit novonordisk.com.

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