Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen to step down as CEO of Novo Nordisk
Denmark: Novo Nordisk has announced that Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen will step down from his role as CEO of Novo Nordisk. He will continue as CEO for a period to support a smooth transition to new leadership. A search for Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen’s successor is ongoing, and an announcement will be made in due course. In connection with the change, Lars Rebien Sørensen, chair of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, will join the Novo Nordisk Board, initially as an observer.
Novo Nordisk has been through a significant growth journey and transformation led by Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen. During his eight-year tenure as CEO, Novo Nordisk’s sales, profits and share price have almost tripled.
The changes are, however, made in light of the recent market challenges Novo Nordisk has been facing, and the development of the company’s share price since mid-2024. In light of this, the Novo Nordisk Foundation Board initiated a dialogue with the Novo Nordisk Board on the merits of an accelerated CEO succession and expressed a wish to increase its representation on the Novo Nordisk Board. Through its investment company, Novo Holdings A/S, the Novo Nordisk Foundation controls the majority of votes at the Novo Nordisk Annual General Meeting.
Considering the recent market challenges, the share price decline, and the wish from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Novo Nordisk Board and Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen have jointly concluded that initiating a CEO succession is in the best interest of the company and its shareholders. Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen has agreed to continue as CEO for a period to support a smooth transition to new leadership.
Furthermore, the Novo Nordisk Board has agreed with the Novo Nordisk Foundation Board that Lars Rebien Sørensen, chair of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, will participate as an observer in Novo Nordisk’s Board meetings, with the intention of being nominated for election as a board member at the Annual General Meeting in 2026.
Commenting on the changes, Helge Lund, chair of the Novo Nordisk Board, says, “Novo Nordisk’s strategy remains unchanged, and the Board is confident in the company’s current business plans and its ability to execute on the plans. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen for his outstanding contributions to Novo Nordisk’s success during his tenure as CEO. He is highly respected both inside and outside the company for his leadership, values and vision for the company and the pharmaceutical industry at large.”
Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen joined Novo Nordisk in 1991 and was appointed chief executive officer in January 2017. During his time at the helm, the company has grown tremendously, fortified its leadership in diabetes care, established itself as a pioneer in the treatment of obesity and diversified into other areas of serious chronic diseases.
Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen says, “Serving as Novo Nordisk’s CEO for the past eight years has been a privilege and an experience that I will always cherish. I am proud of the results I have helped create together with my leadership team, the Board, and the thousands of employees who work every day to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases.”
Commenting on Lars Rebien Sørensen’s participation in Novo Nordisk’s Board meetings, Helge Lund says, “The Board appreciates the perspectives and guidance provided by the Novo Nordisk Foundation through the Board members representing the Foundation and looks forward to working with Lars Rebien Sørensen on the Board.”
Lars Rebien Sørensen brings extensive, first-hand experience of the pharmaceutical industry and its environments from his 16 years (2000-2016) as CEO of Novo Nordisk A/S. Since 2018, he has been chairing the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Novo Holdings A/S.
