Our history spans a century and it all began with two small Danish
companies, Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium and Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium.
After hearing of the discovery of insulin in 1921, Danish Nobel
laureate August Krogh and his wife Marie, a doctor living with
diabetes, were intrigued. At Marie’s urging, August travelled to
Canada to seek permission from the researchers to produce this
life-saving medicine in Denmark. Upon August’s return, Marie also
convinced the scientist Hans Christian Hagedorn to join her husband
and August Kongsted from Løvens Kemiske Fabrik. In March 1923, the
first patients were treated with their insulin, setting in motion a
century of innovation within protein-based treatments for people
living with serious chronic diseases.
Hagedorn's villa in Hellerup where he and August Krogh began
experimenting with extracting insulin
Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium commercialised the production of insulin
after the extraction and purification technique was brought to Denmark
from Canada by August Krogh. With insulin, diabetes was no longer a
death sentence and life expectancy improved dramatically.
Insulin production begins in Scandinavia
Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium commercialised the production of insulin
after the extraction and purification technique was brought to Denmark
from Canada by August Krogh. With insulin, diabetes was no longer a
death sentence and life expectancy improved dramatically.
Hagedorn's villa in Hellerup where he and August Krogh began
experimenting with extracting insulin
The evolution of the Novo Nordisk logo
The race to defeat diabetes begins
1925
Brothers Harald and Thorvald Pedersen, who were former employees of
Nordisk, formed their own company, Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium. Novo
and Nordisk competed vigorously until they merged in 1989 to become Novo
Nordisk A/S.
1925
The race to defeat diabetes begins
Brothers Harald and Thorvald Pedersen, who were former employees of
Nordisk, formed their own company, Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium. Novo
and Nordisk competed vigorously until they merged in 1989 to become Novo
Nordisk A/S.
The evolution of the Novo Nordisk logo
Insulin production in the 1930s at Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium
Steno Memorial Hospital founded in 1932 and Hvidøre Diabetes Sanatorium
founded in 1938
Understanding patients’ needs
1930s
Novo and Nordisk each established diabetes hospitals in Denmark to
provide specialised diabetes care and lifestyle guidance while gaining a
better understanding of patients’ needs. In 1992, the two hospitals
merged to become the Steno Diabetes Center, and Novo Nordisk continues
to build on this holistic approach to care today.
1930s
Understanding patients’ needs
Novo and Nordisk each established diabetes hospitals in Denmark to
provide specialised diabetes care and lifestyle guidance while gaining a
better understanding of patients’ needs. In 1992, the two hospitals
merged to become the Steno Diabetes Center, and Novo Nordisk continues
to build on this holistic approach to care today.
Steno Memorial Hospital founded in 1932 and Hvidøre Diabetes Sanatorium
founded in 1938
NPH decreases the burden of diabetes treatment
Hans Christian Hagedorn
NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn) insulin was developed in 1946 and soon
accounted for much of the world's consumption of longer-acting insulin.
With NPH, people with diabetes require fewer injections. It is named
after Hans Christian Hagedorn, who discovered the prolonging effect of
protamine on insulin.
NPH decreases the burden of diabetes treatment
NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn) insulin was developed in 1946 and soon
accounted for much of the world's consumption of longer-acting insulin.
With NPH, people with diabetes require fewer injections. It is named
after Hans Christian Hagedorn, who discovered the prolonging effect of
protamine on insulin.
Hans Christian Hagedorn
Insulin production in the 1940s at Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium
Foundation ownership supports our development
Harald and Thorvald Pedersen founded the Novo Foundation in 1951
Nordisk’s foundation was established in the 1920s and Novo followed in
1951. The foundations merged in 1989 and today the Novo Nordisk
Foundation continues to award research and humanitarian grants while
enabling Novo Nordisk to do what is best in the long term for patients,
employees and shareholders.
Foundation ownership supports our development
Nordisk’s foundation was established in the 1920s and Novo followed in
1951. The foundations merged in 1989 and today the Novo Nordisk
Foundation continues to award research and humanitarian grants while
enabling Novo Nordisk to do what is best in the long term for patients,
employees and shareholders.
Harald and Thorvald Pedersen founded the Novo Foundation in 1951
Fermentation tanks for penicillin and streptomycin
New frontiers in innovation
1960s
Both companies actively pursued and developed techniques to produce
pharmaceutical products using fermentation. Novo’s enzyme expertise also
led to the introduction of its first detergent enzyme made by
fermentation, and Novozymes A/S eventually split off as a separate
entity in 2000.
1960s
New frontiers in innovation
Both companies actively pursued and developed techniques to produce
pharmaceutical products using fermentation. Novo’s enzyme expertise also
led to the introduction of its first detergent enzyme made by
fermentation, and Novozymes A/S eventually split off as a separate
entity in 2000.
Fermentation tanks for penicillin and streptomycin
Novo Nordisk production plant in Kalundborg
Ramping up production
1969
Novo opened a production plant in Kalundborg, Denmark, designed by
Danish architect Arne Jacobsen. The facility, which features visible
pipelines, continues to produce half of the world’s insulin.
1969
Ramping up production
Novo opened a production plant in Kalundborg, Denmark, designed by
Danish architect Arne Jacobsen. The facility, which features visible
pipelines, continues to produce half of the world’s insulin.
Novo Nordisk production plant in Kalundborg
Addressing new unmet needs
1970s
Both companies pursued innovation within hormone products, including
oral contraceptives. In 1973, Nordisk marketed the company’s first human
growth hormone, paving the way for Novo Nordisk to become one of the
world’s largest manufacturers of this therapy.
1970s
Addressing new unmet needs
Both companies pursued innovation within hormone products, including
oral contraceptives. In 1973, Nordisk marketed the company’s first human
growth hormone, paving the way for Novo Nordisk to become one of the
world’s largest manufacturers of this therapy.
Engineering the insulin of tomorrow
Human Monocomponent insulin crystals seen through a microscope
In 1982, Novo marketed Human Monocomponent Insulin and, in 1987, the
first human insulin products manufactured using genetically engineered
yeast cells. ‘Human insulin’ is identical to the insulin produced by our
bodies, is highly purified and can be produced in unlimited quantities
to greatly expand access.
Engineering the insulin of tomorrow
In 1982, Novo marketed Human Monocomponent Insulin and, in 1987, the
first human insulin products manufactured using genetically engineered
yeast cells. ‘Human insulin’ is identical to the insulin produced by our
bodies, is highly purified and can be produced in unlimited quantities
to greatly expand access.
Human Monocomponent insulin crystals seen through a microscope
The Novo Syringe from 1925 and the first NovoPen®
device from 1985
NovoPen®
was launched as the first insulin pen device. Finally, people had a
discrete and more accurate means of self-administering insulin when
needed. Today, NovoPen®
is a design icon and Novo Nordisk continues to pioneer delivery systems
that improve quality of life and make managing chronic diseases easier.
NovoPen®
was launched as the first insulin pen device. Finally, people had a
discrete and more accurate means of self-administering insulin when
needed. Today, NovoPen®
is a design icon and Novo Nordisk continues to pioneer delivery systems
that improve quality of life and make managing chronic diseases easier.
The Novo Syringe from 1925 and the first NovoPen®
device from 1985
Dr. Ulla Hedner
New hope for rare bleeding disorders
1996
When Dr Ulla Hedner purified Factor VIIa, she needed a partner to help
her produce this life-saving treatment. Novo approved her project in
1985 and the first effective treatment for people with haemophilia with
inhibitors was launched in 1996, quickly becoming the gold standard of
care for many rare bleeding disorders.
1996
New hope for rare bleeding disorders
When Dr Ulla Hedner purified Factor VIIa, she needed a partner to help
her produce this life-saving treatment. Novo approved her project in
1985 and the first effective treatment for people with haemophilia with
inhibitors was launched in 1996, quickly becoming the gold standard of
care for many rare bleeding disorders.
Dr. Ulla Hedner
Improving care and access around the world
2000s
In response to a 2001 dispute over patent rights in South Africa, Novo
Nordisk defined a long-term strategy to support access to care in the
world’s poorest countries. This included the establishment of the World
Diabetes Foundation (2002), the World Haemophilia Foundation (2005), and
a differential insulin pricing policy for the least developed countries.
2000s
Improving care and access around the world
In response to a 2001 dispute over patent rights in South Africa, Novo
Nordisk defined a long-term strategy to support access to care in the
world’s poorest countries. This included the establishment of the World
Diabetes Foundation (2002), the World Haemophilia Foundation (2005), and
a differential insulin pricing policy for the least developed countries.
Changing the world by changing diabetes
2005
With the launch of Changing Diabetes®
in 2005 Novo Nordisk cemented its commitment to ensuring better
awareness and care for people living with diabetes. Changing Diabetes®
in Children followed in 2009 to provide access to care and life-saving
medicine for children with type 1 diabetes in low- and middle-income countries.
2005
Changing the world by changing diabetes
With the launch of Changing Diabetes®
in 2005 Novo Nordisk cemented its commitment to ensuring better
awareness and care for people living with diabetes. Changing Diabetes®
in Children followed in 2009 to provide access to care and life-saving
medicine for children with type 1 diabetes in low- and middle-income countries.
Our values – the Novo Nordisk Way
2011
More than ten years after the launch of the Novo Nordisk Way of
Management, which set out the vision and policies that apply to all
employees worldwide, the new Novo Nordisk Way was launched with an
emphasis on the company’s history and values.
2011
Our values – the Novo Nordisk Way
More than ten years after the launch of the Novo Nordisk Way of
Management, which set out the vision and policies that apply to all
employees worldwide, the new Novo Nordisk Way was launched with an
emphasis on the company’s history and values.
Taking on the rise of serious chronic diseases
Mexico City
Prevention came into focus in 2014 with Cities Changing Diabetes, a
public-private partnership addressing the role of urban life in the rise
chronic disease. In 2021, our efforts expanded with a UNICEF partnership
that is working to prevent childhood overweight and obesity by creating
healthier environments for children.
Taking on the rise of serious chronic diseases
Prevention came into focus in 2014 with Cities Changing Diabetes, a
public-private partnership addressing the role of urban life in the rise
chronic disease. In 2021, our efforts expanded with a UNICEF partnership
that is working to prevent childhood overweight and obesity by creating
healthier environments for children.
Mexico City
Discovering and developing new protein peptide-based therapies
First oral GLP-1 treatment for type 2 diabetes
2019
A major breakthrough that further expanded treatment options and reduced
barriers, this innovative tablet eliminates the need for injections with
GLP-1 – a welcome relief for many people living with type 2 diabetes.
2019
First oral GLP-1 treatment for type 2 diabetes
A major breakthrough that further expanded treatment options and reduced
barriers, this innovative tablet eliminates the need for injections with
GLP-1 – a welcome relief for many people living with type 2 diabetes.
Discovering and developing new protein peptide-based therapies
Strategies for a healthier future
2020
With the launch of our Defeat Diabetes social responsibility strategy in
2020, we are focusing our efforts and partnerships on improving
prevention, expanding access to care and driving innovation to improve
lives. Our zero environmental impact strategy, Circular for Zero, was
launched in 2019 to ensure we also address the health of our planet.
2020
Strategies for a healthier future
With the launch of our Defeat Diabetes social responsibility strategy in
2020, we are focusing our efforts and partnerships on improving
prevention, expanding access to care and driving innovation to improve
lives. Our zero environmental impact strategy, Circular for Zero, was
launched in 2019 to ensure we also address the health of our planet.
1923-2023 Driving change for generations
Young people at Tingbjerg, Denmark.
As Novo Nordisk turns 100, we renew our commitment to drive change for a
healthy world today, and for generations to come.
1923-2023 Driving change for generations
As Novo Nordisk turns 100, we renew our commitment to drive change for a
healthy world today, and for generations to come.
