NEW YORK (Nov. 12, 2003) - Novozymes has been named by Scientific American magazine as one of the "Scientific American 50" - the noted magazine's annual list recognizing outstanding acts of leadership in technology from the past year.

Novozymes was selected as "Business Leader in Chemicals and Materials" for its work over the past year to help reduce the cost of enzymes used to convert biomass (plant waste material) into fermentable sugars such as glucose that can then be converted to ethanol by fermentation. A more cost-effective, renewable source of glucose could support the expansion of a new biorefinery industry that could reduce dependency on oil.

A global leader in "white biotechnology", Novozymes also was recognized for developing enzymes for scouring textile fibers that are more effective and environmentally friendly than standard techniques.

Announced on Nov. 10, the Scientific American 50 appears in the magazine's December issue, arriving on newsstands Nov. 25. The complete list may also be accessed on the magazine's website as of Nov. 10 at www.sciam.com.

Said Editor-In-Chief John Rennie: "Scientific American is in the business of encouraging the progressive use of technology to make a better future for people around the world. Every year we watch how certain individuals and organizations play pivotal roles in directing that future's emergence. The Scientific American 50 is our chance to shine a light on these incredibly deserving leaders in research, industry and policy."

"On behalf of Novozymes, I am extremely honored that our company is included in the Scientific American 50, and recognized by Scient ific American magazine, with its unique stature in the world of science and technology," said Glenn E. Nedwin, Ph.D., president of Novozymes Biotech, Inc. in Davis, Calif. "We're proud of the work that we do at Novozymes in using enzymes and microorganisms to enhance production and product quality while reducing the use of water, energy and harmful chemicals."

Established in 1992, Novozymes Biotech, Inc. is a primary research arm of Novozymes A/S with expertise in molecular biology, protein chemistry, chemical engineering and microbial physiology. With headquarters in Davis, Calif., Novozymes Biotech collaborates with other Novozymes research groups in Denmark, the United States, Japan and China. The company also has collaborations with University of California, Davis as well as with other academic labs worldwide.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) approved the third-year of funding for Novozymes Biotech's three-year subcontract to develop more cost-efficient enzymes for ethanol production. 

Selected by the magazine's Board of Editors with the help of distinguished outside advisors, the Scientific American 50 spotlights a Research Leader of the Year, a Business Leader of the Year and a Policy Leader of the Year.  In addition it cites research, business and policy leaders in many technological categories, including Agriculture, Chemicals & Materials, Communications, Computing, Energy, Environment, Medical Treatments and more.

Novozymes is currently the market leader in supplying enzymes for converting starch, mainly from corn, into fermentable sugars and hopes that new enzymes discovered during the research subcontract with the DOE can be turned into new products to bolster its market presence. The US fuel ethanol market is growing at a rapid rate of around 20 percent annually.

About Novozymes

Novozymes A/S is a biotech-based world leader in enzymes and microorganisms for industrial use. Novozymes also applies its core competences in selected pharmaceutical areas. With headquarters in Denmark, Novozymes employs more than 3,700 people. Novozymes is represented in 27 countries and sells enzymes and microorganisms in more than 130 countries. The company's B-shares are listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange. For further company information, visit Novozymes on the Internet at: www.novozymes.com.

About Scientific American

Founded in 1845, editorial contributors to Scientific American have included over 100 Nobel laureates, among them Albert Einstein, Neils Bohr, Francis Crick, Stanley Prusiner and Harold Varmus. Scientific American Inc. is a division of Holtzbrinks Publishers, a U.S. subsidiary of Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck GmbH, a privately held international media corporation operating in more than 40 countries. In addition to Henry Holt and Company; St. Martin's Press and Tor; the academic scholarly publishing houses Farrar, Straus & Giroux; W.H. Freeman; Henry Holt and Company; St. Martin's Press and Tor; the academic scholarly publishing company Palgrave U.S.; the College Publishing Group of Bedford Freeman Worth; and the distribution company VHPS.

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