Novo Nordisk announced that with effect from 1 January 2008 the company has appointed Martin Soeters to take up the position as senior vice president of Region Europe. Martin Soeters is currently senior vice president of Novo Nordisk North America and president of Novo Nordisk Inc., the company's US affiliate. Martin Soeters will be replaced by Jerzy Gruhn who will take up the position as senior vice president of Novo Nordisk North America from the same date. Jerzy Gruhn is currently vice president of the Europe East region within Region Europe. KÃ¥re Schultz, executive vice president and chief operating officer says: "We are making the changes at a time when Novo Nordisk is doing well in both Europe and North America and are confident that we have the right leadership to secure our future growth in the two regions."
Martin Soeters has more than 27 years' experience from executive management, sales and marketing in Novo Nordisk. Since he took over responsibility for the company's operations in the North American region in 2000 he has grown annual sales from 0.5 billion US dollars in 2000 to 2.1 billion US dollars in 2006. Under his leadership, Novo Nordisk has successfully launched the company's complete portfolio of modern insulin, earned a position as the diabetes care leader in the North American market and at the same time built a strong biopharmaÂceuticals business. Today, Novo Nordisk North America employs more than 3,000 people, including a highly competitive sales force.
During his 11 years with Novo Nordisk, Jerzy Gruhn has played a critical role in the company's growth, gaining the company a leading position in Eastern and Central Europe. In his current position as vice president of the Europe East region, he overcame strong competitive pressures and adverse market conditions caused by pricing reforms and reimbursement issues to expand the company's business in the region to 16 countries with diverse cultures and market dynamics.
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 25,350 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.