Novo Nordisk Announces Additional Donation to National Hemophilia Foundation's "Campaign for Our Future"

Funds Will Go Directly to Research Programs to Help People with Bleeding Disorders

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Apr 16, 2010, 01:10 ET

PRINCETON, N.J., April 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In observance of World Hemophilia Day on April 17, Novo Nordisk announced it has further contributed $600,000 to the National Hemophilia Foundation's (NHF) "Campaign for Our Future." The goal of this five-year, multi-million dollar capital campaign is to provide support for people with bleeding disorders by building national capacity through the NHF's chapter network, maintaining access to care where it exists and creating new opportunities where access is lacking. This contribution is in addition to Novo Nordisk's initial donation of $2 million in 2008 that launched the campaign nationwide.

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With this additional funding from Novo Nordisk, the NHF will be able to advance an aggressive research agenda. This new research agenda includes cultivating the interest of professionals to join and stay in the field of hemophilia; building coalitions with other disease groups, government agencies, and biotechnology companies; and engaging top scientists to be part of a strategic alliance to discuss, recommend and implement future research initiatives.

"It is our mission to help people living with bleeding disorders obtain the services and support they need to lead full, productive lives," said Val Bias, chief executive officer of the National Hemophilia Foundation. "With this generous donation from Novo Nordisk, we can now expand our research agenda that may one day lead to better treatments and eventually a cure."

Hemophilia is a chronic, inherited bleeding disorder that occurs because certain blood clotting factors are missing or do not work properly. People with hemophilia are missing one of the body's natural clotting factors, so they may need special treatment to make their blood clot.

"World Hemophilia Day is an important day to continue to raise awareness of the fact that many people around the world who suffer from this disorder do not have access to adequate diagnosis or treatment," said Eddie Williams, vice president of Biopharmaceuticals at Novo Nordisk. "Novo Nordisk is committed to changing possibilities in hemophilia and we are pleased to support the NHF in its continued efforts to build a national movement toward better patient care."

About Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 87 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone therapy for women. Novo Nordisk's business is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to social responsibility to employees and customers, environmental soundness and economic success. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 29,300 employees in 76 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchange in Copenhagen and its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NVO). For more information, visit novonordisk-us.com.

SOURCE Novo Nordisk