North Korea fires missiles in 4th of July salvo 8 hrs ago - North Korea launched seven ballistic missiles Saturday into waters off its east coast in a show of military firepower that defied U.N. resolutions and drew global expressions of condemnation and concern.
Former NFL quarterback McNair killed in Tennessee 1 hr 29 mins ago - Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair, whose most noted drive was the final one of the 2000 Super Bowl, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head Saturday afternoon in a downtown condominium. Police said a woman was also shot dead.
In NYC, biggest fireworks show in US set to begin 1 hr 15 mins ago - The Fourth of July weekend is shaping up as a celebration for Americans watching fireworks around the country - and for three elephants and a turtle.
Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' 1 hr 56 mins ago - Outgoing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Saturday laid the groundwork to take on a larger, national role after leaving state government, citing a "higher calling" with the aim of uniting the country along conservative lines.
Marines march in grueling Afghan sun for July 4 9 hrs ago - Taliban militants were nowhere in sight as the columns of U.S. Marines walked a third straight day across southern Afghanistan. But the desert heat proved an enemy in its own right, with several troops falling victim Saturday to temperatures topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Coroner: Teen 5th killed by apparent serial killer 6 hrs ago - A teenage girl shot while helping her father in their family's small furniture and appliance store died Saturday, becoming the fifth victim of a suspected serial killer terrorizing a small South Carolina community, authorities said.
Obama's trip: A mission to reshape US image 4 hrs ago - Determined to change the way the world views the United States, Barack Obama is onto his next foreign mission: rebuilding relations with Russia, proving to global leaders that America is serious about climate change, and outlining his vision for Africa, his father's birthplace.
Exiled Honduran president vows return on Sunday 44 mins ago - Ousted President Manuel Zelaya said Saturday that he would return to Honduras to try to retake office following last week's military-backed coup, despite warnings of a potentially bloody confrontation and the interim government's vow to arrest him and put him on trial.
Serena Williams beats sister Venus at Wimbledon 5 hrs ago - Serena Williams kept telling herself she was facing just another foe in the Wimbledon final Saturday, just another woman who hits the ball quite hard, just another player trying to deny her a Grand Slam title.
Novo Nordisk Increased Operating Profit by 11% in the First Nine Months of 2007 Based on a 9% Sales Increase and an Improved Gross Margin
PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Novo Nordisk
(NYSE: NVO), a global healthcare company, today released its financial
statement for the period January 1, 2007 to September 30, 2007.
-- Novo Nordisk increased sales by 14% in local currencies and by 9% in
Danish kroner due to a significant negative currency development.
-- Sales of modern insulins increased by 37% (31% in Danish kroner).
-- Sales of NovoSeven(R) increased by 10% (4% in Danish kroner).
-- Sales of Norditropin(R) increased by 12% (7% in Danish kroner).
-- Sales in North America increased by 25% (15% in Danish kroner).
-- Gross margin increased to 76.7% in the first nine months of 2007 up
from 75.2% in the same period last year, primarily reflecting continued
productivity improvements.
-- Operating profit increased by 11% to USD 1,410 million. Adjusted for
the impact from currencies, underlying operating profit increased by
more than 20%.
-- Net profit increased by 60% to USD 1,361 million, primarily reflecting
the divestment of Dako's business activities in the second quarter of
2007. Earnings per share (diluted) increased by 62% to USD 4.26.
-- The expectation for full-year sales growth is still 11-14% measured in
local currencies and now 6-9% as reported due to the depreciation of
key invoicing currencies. Full-year operating profit growth remains
unchanged around 20% measured in local currencies and is now expected
to be close to 10% as reported.
-- In October, Novo Nordisk received marketing authorization for
Levemir(R) in Japan for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes including
combination treatment with oral antidiabetics.
Lars Rebien Sorensen, president and CEO, said "Our portfolio of modern
insulins continues to show strong sales growth in all key markets. Within the
next few months we will be launching Levemir(R) in FlexPen(R) in Japan, which
will further support growth in the coming years."
* For convenience, Danish kroner has been translated to USD in this
release, using the average exchange rate of USD 1.00 = DKK 5.54317.
Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company with an 84-year history of innovation
and achievement 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 to diabetes care, Novo
Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as hemostasis management,
growth hormone therapy, and hormone therapy for women. Novo Nordisk's business
is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to economic success,
environmental soundness, and social responsibility to employees and customers.
With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 23,600 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 global
information, visit novonordisk.com; for United States information, visit
novonordisk-us.com.