TREASURY STOCK

STATUS RE NOVO NORDISK'S HOLDING OF ITS OWN SHARES (1 OCTOBER 2004)

In continuation of the company's announcement on 30 April 2004 of a planned
share repurchase programme, and pursuant to Section 29 of the Danish Securities
Trading Act and Section 204.33 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company
Manual, this is to report that as of today, Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE: NVO) and its
wholly-owned affiliates owns 19,646,047 of its own B shares of DKK 2,
corresponding to a total nominal value of DKK 39,292,094 or 5.54% of the total
share capital.

In the third quarter of 2004 a total of 2,030,000 B shares was repurchased by
Novo Nordisk A/S, and 139,860 B shares were disposed of to employees who
exercised options granted by Novo Nordisk.

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 approximately 19,600 full-time
employees in 69 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.

For further information please contact:

Media:                              Investors:
Outside North America:              Outside North America:

Elin K Hansen                       Mogens Thorsager Jensen
Tel (direct):                       Tel (direct):
(+45) 4442 3450                     (+45) 4442 7945

                                    Palle Holm Olesen

                                    Tel (direct):

                                    (+45) 4442 6175

In North America:                   In North America:

Susan T Jackson                     Christian Kanstrup
Tel (direct):                       Tel (direct):
(+1) 609 919 7776                   (+1) 609 919 7937

Stock Exchange Announcement No 56 / 2004