Novo Nordisk celebrates two milestone anniversaries, which demonstrates the company's long-term commitment to diabetes care and research. The day marks the 75-year anniversary of the Steno Diabetes Center and the 50-year anniversary of the Hagedorn Research Institute.

Both institutions will open their doors to the public on 5 November with a range of exhibitions, film showings, food tastings and presentations available. Visitors can experience 'looking through the body with laser light', learn which role diet and exercise play in diabetes care or hear a talk about the prospects of finding a cure for the disease.

Steno Diabetes Center and Hagedorn Research Institute are responsible for several groundbreaking research results. Among the most notable achievements is the development of protamine insulin – the world's first long-acting insulin, and its successor, Neutral Protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin, a more convenient and versatile product which could be successfully mixed with fast-acting insulin. Both were developed at the then Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium and clinically tested at the Steno facility. NPH is still in use as a long-acting insulin.

Today, the research effort at Steno Diabetes Center focuses on the causes of beta cell death as well as on the treatment and prevention of diabetes complications. Research into the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes is also a vital area of investigation. In fact, the Steno approach to diet and control has become a role model for diabetes clinics around the world.

Knut Borch-Johnsen, director, professor at Steno Diabetes Center says: "For Steno Diabetes Center, the ultimate goal is cure and prevention, but until this is reached our focus will continue to be optimal care for patients. We develop programmes and treatment strategies which prevent life-threatening complications and improve the quality of life for all patients with diabetes."

Work at the Hagedorn Research Institute deals mainly with how to replace or preserve the insulin-producing beta cell mass, and stem cell research is an important element of this area. The institute works closely with the Research & Development department at Novo Nordisk on the mutual goal of eventually developing a cure for diabetes.

Ole Dragsbæk Madsen, chief of Research at Hagedorn says: "It is a truly unique constellation of a pharmaceutical company to have an independent basic research institution like Hagedorn Research Institute that is devoted to finding a cure for diabetes. The only question is at what point in the future this will happen."

Steno Diabetes Center and Hagedorn Research Institute are open to the public on 5 November between 13.00 and 15.00.

About 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 25,800 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 www.novonordisk.com.