Novo Nordisk (OMX: NOVO B, nyse: NVO) manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services. Created in 1989 through a merger of two Danish companies dating back to the 1920s, it has become one of the world's leading companies in diabetes care, where Novo Nordisk pursues research into pulmonary delivery systems; other companies, such as Meditronic, have expanded into insulin pump systems. Novo Nordisk also commands large sectors of the markets in haemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy.

With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk has production facilities in six countries, with affiliates or offices in 80 countries. Novo Nordisk employs approximately 26,000 people globally (as of 2007) , and markets its products in 179 countries.

Novo Nordisk is a full member of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA).

Toxicogenomics

In addition to internal research and development activities Novo Nordisk is also involved in publicly funded collaborative research projects, with other industrial and academic partners. One example in the area of non-clinical safety assessment is the InnoMed PredTox. The company is expanding its activities in joint research projects within the framework of the Innovative Medicines Initiative of EFPIA and the European Commission.

Diabetes

Novo Nordisk founded the World Diabetes foundation to save the lives of those affected by diabetes in developing countries and were instrumental in achieving a UN resolution to fight diabetes. Making diabetes the only other disease alongside HIV / AIDS to have a commintment to combat at a UN level.

Company Logo

The Novo Nordisk logo is the Apis bull, one of the sacred animals of ancient Egypt. The Apis bull was worshipped as the incarnation of Ptah, creator of the universe, city god of Memphis and the patron deity of craftsmen.

The logo is a stylised reproduction of an Egyptian statuette dating from circa 664–323 BC. It is richly ornamented with symbols representing, among other things, the eternal dualities of life, day and night, life and death.

The Apis bull has been Novo's logo since the year after the company's foundation. The choice of the logo follows an old European chemist's tradition of identifying pharmacies by an animal symbol.

Unite for Diabetes

Novo Nordisk have sponsored the International Diabetes Federation's Unite for Diabetes campaign — a campaign that has successfully achieved a UN Resolution on Diabetes.

As such, they have also launched the Novo Nordisk Changing Diabetes World Tour — a truck that folds out into an educational and awareness-developing bus. The vehicle was launched in Copenhagen in September 2005 and has visited Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia, the Indian subcontinent and the United States. The bus journey culminated in being stationed in New York City for the inaugural World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2007.