Novo Nordisk Mark World Haemophilia Day and Unveil the 2016 HERO Research Grant

PR64117

Zurich, Switzerland, Apr. 17 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

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    Today, on World Haemophilia Day, Novo Nordisk announces that the grant

scheme to support and encourage research projects focused on the psychosocial

issues faced by people with haemophilia is open for applications. The scheme,

Haemophilia Experiences, Results, and Opportunities (HERO) Research Grant is

worth up to EUR75,000, and aims to create awareness of the challenges faced by

people living with haemophilia.

    As part of the global campaign, 'Meet the HERO', Novo Nordisk also calls on

the haemophilia community to celebrate the everyday heroes of haemophilia by

tweeting a photo or video of how they take part in World Haemophilia Day using

the hashtags #MeetTheHERO and #WHD2016.

    "The HERO research grant is part of our commitment to helping people with

haemophilia live a life with fewer limitations and support the heroes who care

for them," says Paul Huggins, Corporate Vice President, Global Biopharm,

Zurich, Novo Nordisk.

    'Meet the HERO' supports the World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH)

campaign, 'Treatment for all, the vision of all', and is part of Novo Nordisk's

long-term commitment to changing haemophilia. This campaign uses insights from

the ground-breaking HERO study that provides evidence about what it is like to

live with haemophilia and calls for better psychosocial support for people with

haemophilia, their families and those who care for them.

    The HERO research grant is available to healthcare professionals providing

care for people with haemophilia, and social workers or similar who provide or

have expertise in psychosocial support for people with haemophilia.

    For more information and to apply, please visit http://www.herostudy.org.

    This World Haemophilia Day, show your support for the heroes of haemophilia

with a tweet, photo or video of how you take part in the day by using  

#MeetTheHero and #WHD2016

    About Haemophilia

    Haemophilia is a rare blood clotting disorder. Internal bleeding into the

joints, muscles, and other tissues can cause severe pain, joint damage, and

disability. The worldwide incidence of haemophilia A is approximately one case

per 5,000 males, approximately 30 per cent of whom have no family history.

Haemophilia B occurs in one case per 25,000 males and represents 20-25 per cent

of all patients with haemophilia. Globally, it is estimated that 440,000 people

have haemophilia.

    About World Haemophilia Day

    Since 1989, patient groups worldwide have annually marked World Haemophilia

Day on 17 April to raise awareness and understanding of haemophilia and other

bleeding disorders. The date was chosen in honour of the World Federation of

Haemophilia founder Frank Schnabel, who was born on that day.

    About the HERO Study

    Haemophilia Experiences, Results, and Opportunities (HERO) is an

international, multidisciplinary initiative led by the HERO International

Advisory Board and supported by Novo Nordisk as part of its Changing

Haemophilia(TM) programme. It encompasses the psychosocial experiences of

people with haemophilia, their families, and their health care providers and

covers themes such as employment, relationships, sexual health, treatment and

management of haemophilia, information and knowledge, and quality of life.

    Changing Haemophilia(TM)

    For more than three decades, Novo Nordisk has been committed to Changing

Haemophilia(TM). In addition to the discovery and development of effective and

safe biological medicines, we work with our global partners to advocate for and

create better access to diagnosis and multidisciplinary care with a focus on

joint health. We aim for a future where all people living with haemophilia can

live a life with as few limitations as possible.

    About Novo Nordisk

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

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

leading positions within haemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone

replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk employs approximately 41,000 employees in 75

countries, and markets its products in more than 180 countries. For more

information, visit novonordisk.com [http://novonordisk.com ].

    Further information

    Media:

    Katrine Sperling

    +45-4442-6718

    krsp@novonordisk.com;

    Asa Josefsson

    +45-30797708

    aajf@novonordisk.com

    Investors:         

    Peter Hugreffe Ankersen

    +45-3075-9085     

    phak@novonordisk.com;  

    Melanie Raouzeos

    +45-3075-3479

    mrz@novonordisk.com;  

    Daniel Bohsen     

    +45-3079-6376     

    dabo@novonordisk.com;  

    Kasper Veje

    +45-3079-8519

    kpvj@novonordisk.com  

    SOURCE: Novo Nordisk