The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use gave a positive opinion on the drug, Refixia, intended for the treatment and prevention of bleeding in patients 12 years and above with haemophilia B. http://bit.ly/2n1edgs

Haemophilia B is caused by the deficiency of the factor IX gene that is instrumental in blood clotting.

The panel's opinion will now be reviewed by the EMA.

The positive recommendation comes at a time when Novo Nordisk struggles with declining sales from its aging diabetes franchise.

Last month, the Danish group warned that sales and profits might actually slip in 2017, a remarkable change in fortune for a company that was previously renowned for its sector-beating growth.

Outside diabetes, Novo Nordisk already has a significant blood products business focused on haemophilia.

(Reporting by Rahul B in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)