UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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                                    FORM 6-K

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                            REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

                       Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                                January 06, 2009


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                                NOVO NORDISK A/S
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


                                    NOVO ALLE
                               DK-2880, BAGSVAERD
                                     DENMARK
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

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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-_____________________




TREASURY STOCK

STATUS REGARDING NOVO NORDISK'S HOLDING OF ITS OWN SHARES
(31 DECEMBER 2008)

In continuation of the company's announcement dated 7 August 2008 concerning a
planned share repurchase programme, and pursuant to Section 204.25 of the New
York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, this is to report that Novo Nordisk
A/S (NYSE: NVO) and its wholly-owned affiliates on 31 December 2008 owned
25,721,095 of its own B shares of DKK 1, corresponding to a total nominal value
of DKK 25,721,095 or 4.06% of the total share capital.

In the fourth quarter of 2008 a total of 4,186,000 B shares were repurchased,
and 1,454,365 B shares were disposed of to employees in connection with employee
incentive programs.

ABOUT NOVO NORDISK
Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care. 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 26,550 employees in
80 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:

Outside North America:
Mette Kruse Danielsen
Tel: (+45) 4442 3883
E-mail: mkd@novonordisk.com

In North America:
Sean Clements
Tel: (+1) 609 514 8316
E-mail: secl@novonordisk.com


Investors:
Mads Veggerby Lausten
Tel: (+45) 4443 7919
E-mail: mlau@novonordisk.com

Hans Rommer
Tel: (+45) 4442 4765
E-mail: hrmm@novonordisk.com

Kasper Roseeuw Poulsen
Tel: (+45) 4442 4471
E-mail: krop@novonordisk.com

Company Announcement no 1 / 2009



                                   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: January 06, 2009                         NOVO NORDISK A/S
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                                            Lars Rebien Sorensen,
                                     President and Chief Executive Officer