Major shareholder notification In accordance with Section 29 of the Securities Trading Act, Novo Nordisk hereby reports that on 4 November 2008 Novo Nordisk received notification from The Capital Group Companies Inc. that it pursuant to letter of application of 7 February 2008 to the Danish FSA regarding the exemption requirements for parent companies under Executive Order 1225 section 12 and 14 no longer will report interest in securities in Denmark on its own behalf. Instead, voting interest and ownership in shares will be reported separately by Capital Research and Management Company, Capital Group International Inc. or the mutual funds and clients themselves, as appropriate. None of the individual entities have shareholdings above the threshold of 5% of the issued share capital. Further, The Capital Group Companies Inc. informed Novo Nordisk that the filing is not being made to reflect an acquisition or disposition of shares, but rather to reflect that the Capital Group Companies Inc. as a parent company is exempted from the requirements to file aggregate ownership reports under Executive Order 1225. Should the voting interests or ownership in shares held by Capital Research and Management Company, Capital Group International Inc. or the mutual funds and clients exceed a reporting threshold, such entity will file a report separately in the future. Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care. 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 26,550 employees in 80 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. Further information: Media: Investors: Elin K Hansen Mads Veggerby Lausten Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 3450 Tel (direct): (+45) 4443 7919 ekh@novonordisk.com mlau@novonordisk.com Hans Rommer Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 4765 hrmm@novonordisk.com In North America: Sean Clements Kasper Roseeuw Poulsen Tel (direct): (+1) 609 514 8316 Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 4471 secl@novonordisk.com krop@novonordisk.com Company Announcement no 73 / 2008