Novo Nordisk to Create the World's First All-diabetes Professional Cycling Team

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COPENHAGEN, Dec. 4 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

Novo Nordisk today announced a unique partnership to form Team Novo Nordisk, a

global sports team with more than 100 cyclists, triathletes and runners who all

have diabetes, spearheaded by the world's first all-diabetes pro-cycling team.

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http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58660-novo-nordisk-diabetes-cycling-team  

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Team Novo Nordisk will use life experiences and competitiveness to motivate

people affected by diabetes. Throughout 2013, these athletes will compete in

more than 500 sporting competitions around the world. The men's pro-cycling

team will compete in races such as the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, the Tour of

Britain and the Paris-Tours, with the ultimate goal of joining the Tour de

France.

"As part of our long-standing Changing Diabetes(R) programme, this partnership

provides a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness, and educate, empower and

inspire people with diabetes," says Jakob Riis, senior vice president, Global

Marketing and Global Medical Affairs, Novo Nordisk. "This is yet another way

Novo Nordisk is striving to create more opportunities to live well with

diabetes."

Phil Southerland founded what was known as 'Team Type 1' in 2005 and included

riders and athletes with and without diabetes until this year. The new Team

Novo Nordisk will only comprise of athletes who have diabetes and will continue

to grow the team mission "to instil hope and inspiration for people around the

world affected by diabetes."

"As Team Novo Nordisk we want to show the world what is possible with great

diabetes control. Between us, Team Novo Nordisk has over 1,000 diagnosed years

of diabetes with no complications and we stand for what life with diabetes can

be like," Southerland says. "Exercise is that billion dollar drug that nobody

ever gets prescribed, and in my experience is the best of them all. With

appropriate diet, exercise, treatment and technology, anyone with diabetes can

achieve their dreams."

About Diabetes

Today, 371 million people are living with diabetes.[1] Changing Diabetes(R) is

Novo Nordisk's global commitment to improve conditions for the millions of

people who live with diabetes around the world today, and those who are at risk

of developing diabetes tomorrow. It is a global advocacy and partner platform

which advocates for the prevention and early detection of diabetes, as well as

improved treatment, care and health outcomes.

Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 89

years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has

leading positions within haemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone

replacement therapy. For more information, visit novonordisk.com.

Reference

1. International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 5th Edition, 2012

Update. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation. Available from:

http://www.idf.org/diabetesatlas. Last accessed: November 2012

SOURCE: Novo Nordisk A/S