1

Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company, primarily focused on diabetes care.

Categories

Pharma and Life Sciences  

#25

Rank

$386.42B

Marketcap

DK Denmark

Country

Novo Nordisk
Leadership team

Maziar Mike Doustdar (Executive vice president, International Operations)

Ludovic Helfgott (Executive vice president, Rare Disease)

Karsten Munk Knudsen (Executive vice president, chief financial officer)

Doug Langa (Executive vice president, North America Operations)

Industries

Pharma and Life Sciences

Products/ Services
Ozempic, Ryzodeg, Victoza, NovoEight, Activella, Novolin, Levemir, NovoSeven, Norditropin, Tresiba, Xultophy, NovoRapid, Fiasp, Saxenda
Number of Employees
20,000 - 50,000
Headquarters
Novo Allé, DK-2880, Bagsværd, Denmark
Established
1923
Company Type
Public Limited Company
Company Registration
24256790
Net Income
1B - 20B
Revenue
Above - 1B
Traded as
NVO
Social Media
Overview
Location
Summary

Novo Nordisk A/S is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsværd, Denmark, with production facilities in nine countries, and affiliates or offices in five countries. Novo Nordisk is controlled by majority shareholder Novo Holdings A/S which holds approximately 25% of its shares and a relative majority (45%) of its voting shares.

Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services, specifically diabetes care medications and devices. It is also involved with hemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. The company makes several drugs under various brand names, including Levemir, Tresiba, NovoLog, Novolin R, NovoSeven, NovoEight and Victoza.

Novo Nordisk is a full member of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA).

Novo Nordisk is the largest pharmaceutical company in Denmark. It was ranked 25th among 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2010, and 72nd in 2014 by Fortune.

History

Novo Nordisk was founded in 1923 in Denmark by August Krogh, a Nobel Prize-winning physiologist, and his wife Marie Krogh, along with Harald Pedersen, a Danish pharmacist. The company was initially focused on producing insulin, a hormone used to treat diabetes, using a process developed by the Kroghs. Novo Nordisk quickly became a leader in insulin production, with its high-quality insulin products earning a strong reputation in Denmark and beyond.

In the following decades, Novo Nordisk expanded its product portfolio to include other diabetes care products, as well as treatments for other chronic conditions such as haemophilia and growth hormone deficiency. The company also expanded its operations internationally, establishing subsidiaries and production facilities in countries such as Canada, the United States, and Japan. By the 1970s, Novo Nordisk had become a global leader in diabetes care and was well on its way to becoming one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies.

The company developed the first genetically engineered human insulin in 1978, which quickly became the standard of care for diabetes patients worldwide. Novo Nordisk also established a strong presence in the emerging markets of Asia and Latin America, and in the 1980s and 1990s, it expanded its offerings to include a range of insulin analogues and other diabetes care products.

In the late 1990s, Novo Nordisk underwent a major restructuring, selling off its non-core businesses and refocusing on its core areas of diabetes care, haemophilia management, and growth hormone therapy. The company also began to invest heavily in research and development, with the goal of developing innovative new treatments for diabetes and other chronic conditions. By the end of the 20th century, Novo Nordisk had become a major player in the global pharmaceutical industry, with operations in over 70 countries and a reputation for scientific excellence and innovation.

In the early 2000s, Novo Nordisk continued to innovate in the field of diabetes care, developing new insulin analogues and combination therapies to help patients manage their conditions more effectively. The company also expanded its focus to include obesity care, developing new treatments for obesity and related metabolic disorders. In 2012, Novo Nordisk launched its first obesity treatment, Saxenda, which has since become a leading treatment option for people struggling with obesity.

In recent years, Novo Nordisk has continued to expand its operations globally, with a particular focus on emerging markets such as China and India. The company has also made significant investments in research and development, with the goal of developing innovative new treatments for diabetes, obesity, and other chronic conditions. In 2020, Novo Nordisk announced a bold new strategy to become a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company, with a focus on developing and commercialising innovative therapies for a range of chronic diseases. 

Mission

Novo Nordisk's mission statement is "Driving change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic diseases such as obesity and rare blood and endocrine disorders." The company is committed to improving the lives of people with chronic conditions and addressing some of the most pressing healthcare challenges of our time.

The company aims to drive change with its innovation and continuous improvement. It is committed to developing new and effective treatments for these conditions. 

Vision

Novo Nordisk's vision is to be the world leader in diabetes care, and to make a significant contribution to the care of people with obesity, haemophilia, and growth hormone deficiencies. The company aspires to be the best in its field and to have a meaningful impact on the lives of patients with a range of chronic conditions.

The company focusses on diabetes care, which is the company's core area of expertise and a major healthcare challenge worldwide. The company also aims to address other chronic conditions such as obesity, haemophilia, and growth hormone deficiencies, which are also significant healthcare challenges. 

Key Team

Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen (President and chief executive officer (CEO))

Maziar Mike Doustdar (Executive vice president, International Operations)

Ludovic Helfgott (Executive vice president, Rare Disease)

Karsten Munk Knudsen (Executive vice president, chief financial officer)

Doug Langa (Executive vice president, North America Operations)

Martin Holst Lange (Executive vice president, Development)

David Moore (Executive vice president, Corporate Development)

Tania Sabroe (Executive vice president, Global People & Organisation)

Marcus Schindler (Executive vice president, Research & Early Development and chief scientific officer (CSO))

Camilla Sylvest (Executive vice president, Commercial Strategy & Corporate Affairs)

Henrik Wulff (Executive vice president, Product Supply, Quality & IT)

Recognition and Awards
Novo Nordisk has received numerous awards and recognitions for its work in medical science, diabetes research, environmental health and safety, corporate social responsibility, innovative practices, and foreign business. Novo Nordisk has won the Brand of the Year Award for Changing Diabetes®, the 5th International Environment, Health and Safety Award, the 8th National CSR Award, the Best Place to Work Award, and the Bio-IT World Innovative Practices Awards. Novo Nordisk Taiwan was recently awarded the title “Outstanding Foreign Business” at the 75th Golden Marchant Award Ceremony in Taiwan.
Products and Services

Pens and needles: Novo Nordisk's innovative injection pens combine patient insight with engineering excellence to make drug delivery as simple as possible. The company offers a broad range of disposable pre-filled pens, durable pens with replaceable insulin cartridges, and smart connected pens for diabetes treatment that meets customer needs.

Medicines: The company is committed to providing therapies for patients with diabetes, obesity, and other serious chronic conditions, including haemophilia and growth hormone disorders. 

Smart Pens: NovoPen® 6 & NovoPen Echo® Plus are new, smart insulin pens that automatically record insulin dosing information about each injection. 

One of Novo Nordisk's key product lines is insulin, which is essential for managing diabetes. The company offers a wide portfolio of insulin products, including both traditional and modern insulin formulations that cater to the diverse needs of patients. These insulin products are designed to help individuals maintain stable blood sugar levels and prevent complications associated with diabetes.

In addition to insulin, Novo Nordisk also provides other medications and treatment options for diabetes management. This includes oral antidiabetic drugs, injectable non-insulin medications, and combination therapies that help control blood sugar levels and support overall diabetes care. The company is committed to ongoing research and development efforts to advance diabetes treatment options and improve patient outcomes.

Beyond diabetes care, Novo Nordisk also offers products and services in the areas of obesity management, hemophilia, growth disorders, and hormone replacement therapy. The company's comprehensive portfolio includes specialised medications, medical devices, and digital health solutions that aim to address the unique needs of patients within these therapeutic areas.

References

 

Novo Nordisk
Leadership team

Maziar Mike Doustdar (Executive vice president, International Operations)

Ludovic Helfgott (Executive vice president, Rare Disease)

Karsten Munk Knudsen (Executive vice president, chief financial officer)

Doug Langa (Executive vice president, North America Operations)

Industries

Pharma and Life Sciences

Products/ Services
Ozempic, Ryzodeg, Victoza, NovoEight, Activella, Novolin, Levemir, NovoSeven, Norditropin, Tresiba, Xultophy, NovoRapid, Fiasp, Saxenda
Number of Employees
20,000 - 50,000
Headquarters
Novo Allé, DK-2880, Bagsværd, Denmark
Established
1923
Company Type
Public Limited Company
Company Registration
24256790
Net Income
1B - 20B
Revenue
Above - 1B
Traded as
NVO
Social Media