Novo Nordisk Insulin Plant On Hold

CLAYTON, N.C. -
Plans to construct a second insulin manufacturing plant in Clayton have been put on hold by Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals' Danish parent company due to research delays. The plant would manufacture insulin in the form of an inhalant, the clinical trials of which have been delayed. Novo Nordisk's existing insulin manufacturing plant occupies 50 of 260 acres owned by the pharmaceutical firm in Clayton; the new plant would be constructed adjacent to it. Although still under corporate consideration, the scale of the project (initially slated to break ground in December 2001) may change prior to construction.