Novo Nordisk A/S announced the completion of paradigm 2, the first phase 3 trial with a long-acting FIX derivative, N9-GP (glycopegylated recombinant factor IX), for haemophilia B patients. Paradigm 2 is a multi-centre, blinded trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of N9-GP when used for on-demand or prophylactic treatment in patients with haemophilia B. In the trial, 74 patients were treated for six months on-demand, or 12 months by a prophylactic regimen of 40 U/kg or 10 U/kg N9-GP once weekly. The median bleeding rate for patients treated on-demand was 15.6 episodes per year. Patients on prophylaxis had a median annualised bleeding rate of 1.0 and 2.9 episodes per year, when treated with weekly doses of 40 U/kg and 10 U/kg, respectively. Among patients randomised to receive 40 U/kg N9-GP, 99% of bleeding episodes were treated with only one infusion, and two-thirds of the patients experienced complete resolution of bleeding in their target joints. Patients in this dose group also reported an improvement in quality of life during the trial. Pharmacokinetic data documented a steady state half-life of 110 hours. In the trial, N9-GP appeared to have a safe and well-tolerated profile. No patients in the trial developed inhibitors, and no apparent differences between the treatment groups were observed with respect to adverse events and standard safety parameters.

Novo Nordisk A/S (CPSE:NOVO B) is seeking acquisition opportunities and aims to focus on making major acquisitions and is mainly interested in established companies with positive cash flow that can secure a long-term yield. According to Novo's Chairman of the Board Sten Scheibye, Novo can make investments worth several billion krone a year.

Novo Nordisk A/S Presents at Nomura European SRI Conference, May-23-2013 . Venue: Hotel Sofitel Arc de Triomphe, 14 Rue Beaujon, 75008 Paris, France.