Novo Nordisk Wins Design Award for NovoTwist(TM) Needle

COPENHAGEN , Oct. 26 /CNW/ - Novo Nordisk has been awarded a Good Design Award(TM)(1) for NovoTwist(TM), the new needle designed for use with the insulin delivery device FlexPen(R). The needle, which has a simple 'just twist' attachment and detachment, makes injection easier for people with diabetes.

The Good Design Award(TM) (also known as G-Mark Award)(1) from the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization is a mark of true quality and gives recognition to the uniqueness of NovoTwist(TM). Nearly 3,000 entries were narrowed down by the judging panel and NovoTwist(TM) was selected for an award in the 'Society - Medical Equipment' section.(1) Previous winners of the Good Design Award(TM) include Apple, Toshiba, Toyota and Nintendo. The Good Design Award(TM)(1) highlights the unique design features of NovoTwist(TM). The judges specifically commented that "Conventional screw thread needles can be difficult to attach and detach, especially for the elderly, as limited manual dexterity and hand strength make the circular motion of screw attachment/detachment challenging. NovoTwist(TM) has solved this problem with a simple functional design with a push-and- twist needle attachment/detachment system."

When used with FlexPen(R), three out of four patients prefer NovoTwist(TM) to conventional needles,(2) and patients find NovoTwist(TM) easier to use, less timeconsuming and more user-friendly than conventional needles.(2,3) These benefits may be important to people with diabetes who seek easier and more discreet methods of self-administering insulin.

"Given the general anxiety that some people with diabetes can suffer when using any injection device, the new developments with NovoTwist(TM) are a big step forward in terms of user-friendliness," says diabetes nurse Barbel Sommavilla (Diabetes Education Center, Salzburg, Austria ) who was involved in a key study assessing patients' preference for insulin pen needles. According to Sommavilla et al 2008, the needle is preferred by people with diabetes.(2)

Novo Nordisk has a long tradition of innovative design. In 2005, the insulin pen NovoPen(R)(4) was also given a Good Design Award(TM),(4) and in 2007, the pen was winner of a red dot product design award.(5) Last year, the NovoFine(R) Autocover(R) needle from Novo Nordisk was awarded a Medical Design Excellence Award.(6)

About NovoTwist(TM)

NovoTwist(TM) comes in 5 mm (32G Tip) and 8 mm (30G), and its novel bayonet fitting allows the user to twist the needle onto FlexPen(R). An audible and tactile 'click' confirms attachment of the needle. An integral glue tower minimises the risk of needle breakage, and short, thin needles ensure safe insulin deposition and reduce injection pain and bruising.(7-11)

For more information on NovoTwist(TM), please visit http://tinyurl.com/yjj3d8p

About the Good Design Award(TM)

The Good Design Awards is a comprehensive programme for the evaluation and encouragement of design, organised by Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization. The award's parent organisation is the Good Design Products Selection System (commonly known as the G-Mark system), established in 1957 by the then Ministry of International Trade and Industry (the current Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry).

For more information on the G-Mark Awards, please visit http://www.g-mark.org.

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 more than 28,500 employees in 81 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 http://novonordisk.com.

    
    References

    1.  http://www.g-mark.org/english/archive/2009/outline.html
    2.  Sommavilla et al. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2008; 9: 2223-32.
    3.  Lytzen & Ostfeldt. American Diabetes Association 69th Scientific
        Sessions; 2009; 1985-PO.
    4.  http://www.chi-athenaeum.org/gdesign/winners05.htm
    5.  Data on file, Novo Nordisk A/S.
    6.  http://tinyurl.com/ylekesm
    7.  Hofman et al. Diabet Med 2007; 24: 1400-5.
    8.  Birkebaek et al. Diabet Care 2008; 31: e65.
    9.  Solvig et al. Diabetes 2001; 50 (Suppl. 2): A123.
    10. Iwanaga & Kamoi. Diabetes Technol Ther 2009; 11: 81-6.
    11. McKay et al. Diabetes Technol Ther 2009; 11: 195-201.
    

For further information: Media: Katrine Sperling, Tel: [phone], [email protected]; In North America: Ambre Morley, Tel: [phone], [email protected]