Milpitas, California and Copenhagen, Denmark, June 5, 2001 - LifeScan, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, and Novo Nordisk A/S today announced a global alliance to develop and market a new family of devices that is expected to improve daily diabetes management for many insulin-using people with diabetes.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will use their complementary strengths and competencies to develop and market unique devices for use by people with diabetes that must inject themselves daily with insulin.

"We are sensitive to the needs of people with diabetes and we focus our efforts on developing devices with those needs in mind. Through this collaboration with LifeScan we will be able to expand and enhance our comprehensive portfolio of devices even further," said Lars Almblom Jørgensen, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Novo Nordisk.

"Our collaboration with Novo Nordisk demonstrates our commitment to people with diabetes, which extends beyond providing glucose monitoring systems," said Eric Milledge, company group chairman for LifeScan. "There is much that can be done to enhance diabetes management, and we expect this collaboration will benefit the customers of both of our companies."

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Novo Nordisk is a focused healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as coagulation disorders, growth disorders 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 14,000 people in 68 countries and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'NVO'. For further company information visit www.novonordisk.com.

LifeScan, a leading maker of blood glucose monitoring products, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with diabetes. More pharmacists recommend the company's OneTouch® Systems than any other brand. Every day, more than three million people rely on OneTouch Systems for simple testing and accurate results. LifeScan, Inc. is a member of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies. With approximately 99,200 employees, Johnson & Johnson has more than 190 operating companies in 51 countries around the world, selling products in more than 175 countries. For healthcare professional resources, and information on diabetes care and LifeScan products and services, visit www.LifeScan.com.

(This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that are subject to the risks and uncertainties which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from these statements. Risks and uncertainties include general industry and market conditions; general domestic and international economic conditions, such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; technological advances and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approvals; domestic and foreign healthcare reform; trends toward managed care and healthcare cost containment, and governmental laws and regulations affecting domestic and foreign operations. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Cautionary Statement filed as an Exhibit to Johnson & Johnson's report on Form 10K for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2000, and in Novo Nordisk's report on Form 20F for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2000. Copies of the Form 10K from Johnson & Johnson and the Form 20F from Novo-Nordisk are available on request. The companies disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.)

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