Novo Nordisk's Innovative Needle - NovoTwist(R) - Wins GOOD DESIGN(TM) Award

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, January 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk has been awarded the 2010 GOOD DESIGN(TM) Award[1] for NovoTwist(R), the innovative needle designed for use with the Novo Nordisk insulin delivery device FlexPen(R) and Victoza(R) (liraglutide) Pen.

The GOOD DESIGN(TM) Award[1] is judged based on design innovation beyond what is considered ordinary, and on whether a product can enrich society and people's lives.

"NovoTwist(R) was designed exactly for this purpose," says Svend Elk, Global VP, Devices, Novo Nordisk. "Conventional screw thread needles can be difficult to attach for those with limited manual dexterity. We are excited that patients around the world can now benefit from the simplicity[2,3] and user-friendliness[3] offered by NovoTwist(R)."

NovoTwist(R) needle has a novel bayonet fitting that allows simple 'just twist' attachment and detachment to compatible pens. When used with FlexPen(R), three out of four patients prefer NovoTwist(R) to conventional needles[2], and patients find NovoTwist(R) easier to use, less time-consuming and more user-friendly than conventional needles.[2,3]

NovoTwist(R) has been launched in South Africa, Italy, Turkey and Thailand.

About NovoTwist(R)

NovoTwist(R) comes in 5 mm (32G Tip) and 8 mm (30G) versions. An audible and tactile 'click' confirms attachment of the needle. The technology used in this needle design has been shown to reduce injection pain and bruising.[4-7]

Beginning in 2011, NovoTwist(R) will also be compatible with Novo Nordisk's Penfill(R) insulin cartridges, and therefore patient's using NovoPen(R) 4 and NovoPen Echo(R) may benefit from this unique needle. For more information on NovoTwist(R), please visit

http://www.novonordisk.com/diabetes/public/needles/novotwist/novo-twist-default.asp

(Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the space if one exists.)

About the GOOD DESIGN(TM) Award

The GOOD DESIGN(TM) Awards are chosen annually by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design in cooperation with The European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies. They were founded in 1950 and as such are the world's oldest and amongst the most coveted awards for design and innovation.

For more information on the GOOD DESIGN(TM) Award, please visit http://www.chi-athenaeum.org/gdesign

Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 87 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.co.uk

    References

    1. http://www.chi-athenaeum.org/gdesign/2010/GD2010winnerslist.pdf

    2. Sommavilla et al. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2008; 9: 2223-32.

    3. Lytzen & Ostfeldt. Diabetes 2009; 58 (Suppl. 1): A509 (abstract
       1985-PO)

    4. Arendt-Nielsen et al. Somatosens Motor Res 2006;23(1/2):37-43

    5. Iwanaga & Kamoi. Diabetes Technol Ther 2009; 11: 81-6.

    6. McKay et al. Diabetes Technol Ther 2009; 11: 195-201.

    7. Hofman et al. Diabetes Care. 2010 Sep;33(9):1940-4. Epub 2010 Jun 28

SOURCE Novo Nordisk A/S