SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

1 July 2004

NOVO NORDISK A/S

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Novo Allé
DK- 2880, Bagsvaerd
Denmark

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F

Form 20-F _______X_______ Form 40-F _____________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes __________________  No ________X_________

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g-32(b):82-________

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf of the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: 1 July 2004 NOVO NORDISK A/S
Lars Rebien Sørensen, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Stock Exchange Announcement

1 July 2004

Status re Novo Nordisk’s holding of its own shares (1 July 2004)

In continuation of the company’s announcement on 30 April 2004 of a planned share repurchase programme, and pursuant to Section 29 of the Danish Securities Trading Act and Section 204.33 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, this is to report that as of today, Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE: NVO) and its wholly-owned affiliates owns 17,755,907 of its own B shares of DKK 2, corresponding to a total nominal value of DKK 35,511,814 or 5.01% of the total share capital.

In the second quarter of 2004 a total of 1,450,000 B shares was repurchased by Novo Nordisk A/S, and 144,958 B shares were disposed of to employees who exercised options granted by Novo Nordisk.

Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader 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, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as haemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession and society. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 18,800 full-time employees in 69 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 more information, visit novonordisk.com.

For further information please contact:

Media:	Investors:
Outside North America:	Outside North America:
Elin K Hansen	Peter Haahr
Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 3450	Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 1207

Stock Exchange Announcement No 42 / 2004				Page 1 of 2
Novo Nordisk A/S	Novo Allé	Telephone:	Internet:	CVR Number:
Corporate Communications	2880 Bagsværd	+45 4444 8888	www.novonordisk.com	24256790
	Denmark	Telefax:
		+45 4444 2314

	Palle Holm Olesen
	Tel (direct): (+45) 4442 6175
In North America:	In North America:
Susan T Jackson	Christian Kanstrup
Tel (direct): (+1) 609 919 7776	Tel (direct): (+1) 609 919 7937

Stock Exchange Announcement No 42 / 2004				Page 2 of 2
Novo Nordisk A/S	Novo Allé	Telephone:	Internet:	CVR Number:
Corporate Communications	2880 Bagsværd	+45 4444 8888	www.novonordisk.com	24256790
	Denmark	Telefax:
		+45 4444 2314