Novo Nordisk files suit against Becton Dickinson

Business Wire, Dec 18, 1996

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 1996--Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York against Becton Dickinson and Company.

Novo Nordisk alleges in the suit that Becton Dickinson has infringed a Novo Nordisk patent relating to the NovoPen(R) 1.5 insulin delivery systems in the U.S.

Lars Almblom Jorgensen, Novo Nordisk Corporate Vice President of Health Care International Operations said, "Our newest pen product in the U.S. is the NovoPen(R) 1.5 insulin delivery system, which includes the NovoFine(R) G30 disposable needles and Novolin(R) PenFill(R) insulin cartridges." He added "With the sale, promotion and marketing of its insulin pen and G30 insulin needles, Becton Dickinson infringes our patent, therefore we are prepared to vigorously defend our patent rights in court."

In the lawsuit Novo Nordisk also alleges trademark infringement that Becton Dickinson, in marketing its pen-like insulin delivery devices in the U.S., has deliberately created packaging materials with false and misleading statements concerning Novo Nordisk products and trademarks.

Jorgensen added, "Becton Dickinson has recently introduced an insulin pen and insulin needles on whose packaging the name 'Novo Nordisk' appears without proper use of Novo Nordisk trademarks. We believe this action by Becton Dickinson falsely implies that Novo Nordisk has agreed to allow its name to be used in this fashion." He said, "Also, Novo Nordisk has never endorsed the use of Novolin(R) PenFill(R) insulin cartridges in the Becton Dickinson pen product. It is misleading to consumers for Becton Dickinson to do so."

Novo Nordisk A/S is the world leader in insulin and diabetes care and also manufactures and markets a variety of other pharmaceutical products. Furthermore the company is the world's largest producer of industrial enzymes. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 13,400 people in 54 countries and markets its products in 130 countries. Its B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen, London and Zurich. It ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NVO."

CONTACT: Novo Nordisk of North America, Inc., New York

Susan Toth Jackson, Peter Baekgaard, 212/867-0123