Novo Nordisk to Invest $73m in Expansion of U.S. Manufacturing Facility

Expansion to accommodate increased production of insulin delivery devices at Clayton, North Carolina site

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Oct 04, 2010, 10:45 ET

PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company and leader in diabetes care, today announced a $73 million expansion of its Clayton, NC manufacturing facility to accommodate increased production capacity for the Company's insulin delivery devices.

The initial expansion will create 205 new jobs, including 85 in the Novo Nordisk Clayton facility, which currently produces a number of products, including the Levemir® FlexPen® (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection) and other products for the entire diabetes portfolio. Novo Nordisk currently has more than 420 employees in Clayton who oversee the full production process for six different diabetes treatment products, from formulation through packaging and distribution. The expansion will include the addition of two final assembly lines, two packing lines and building refurbishment.

"The investment to expand our Clayton facility is another example of our commitment to improving diabetes treatment options in the U.S. by ensuring patients have access to the latest advances in treatment," said Jerzy Gruhn, president of Novo Nordisk Inc. "Insulin delivery devices give people with diabetes a convenient way to manage their health and engage in a productive lifestyle. As patients in the U.S. continue to move from administering insulin with a conventional vial and syringe to using a pen device, Novo Nordisk will be prepared to meet growing market demand."

Novo Nordisk, which created the first insulin pen device in 1985, is a world leader in producing and delivering innovative insulin delivery systems. The company has been working with physicians and patients to demonstrate the many benefits of modern delivery devices over vials and syringes, including adherence, ease of use and dosing accuracy. Since their launch 25 years ago, devices have become the dominant form of insulin delivery in most markets outside the U.S. and are gaining share domestically.

Novo Nordisk selected the Clayton site for expansion after an evaluation of both domestic and international facilities. Cost and productivity factors, including the levels of incentive support from local and state resources, were taken into consideration. The Clayton expansion project is approved to receive incentive support from a Job Development Investment Grant and a One North Carolina Fund grant. The company's final decision is contingent upon final approval of local government incentives by Johnston County and Buncombe County.

About Levemir®

Indications and Usage: Levemir® (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection) is a man-made long-acting insulin that is used to control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes mellitus.

Important Safety Information: Check your blood sugar levels. Ask your health care provider what your blood sugars should be and when you should check your blood sugar levels. Alcohol, including beer and wine, may affect your blood sugar when you take Levemir®.

Do not change the type of insulin you use unless told to do so by your health care provider. The amount of insulin you take as well as the best time for you to take your insulin may need to change if you take a different type of insulin.

Never mix Levemir® with other insulin products or use in an insulin pump.

Do not take Levemir® if your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia) or if you are allergic to anything in Levemir®. If you take too much Levemir® your blood sugar may fall too low.

Tell your health care provider about all medicines you take and all of your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your Levemir® dose may change if you take other medicines.

The most common side effect of insulin therapy, including Levemir®, is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Other possible side effects include reactions at the injection site (like redness, swelling and itching), and allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you experience signs of serious allergic reaction such as body rash, trouble with your breathing, fast heartbeat, or sweating. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further information.

For more information, please see complete Levemir Prescribing Information.

FlexPen®, Levemir®, and NovoFine® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S.

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 29,650 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