Lessons From Novo Nordisk’s Mads Øvlisen, The Father Of CSR

When Mads Øvlisen was persuaded by his father-in-law to join the family business, Novo Industri, in 1974 for a short stint in the legal department, little did he know it would the beginning of a lifetime of service to the company that he helped to shape into the diabetes powerhouse it is today.  

Mads Ovlisen
Mads Øvlisen in 2019 • Source: Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk A/S has appointed five CEOs in almost 100 years. It is testament to the culture in the previously family-run company that leaders have the freedom to bring their unique form of guidance and management to the Danish diabetes specialist.

The firm is understandably proud if its culture. The values passed down from its founders of honesty, ambition, accountability, and...

Scrip Podcast

Keep up with the top pharma business news of the week. On the go.

Scrip brings you a weekly bulletin of top picks.

More from Leadership

ProGen’s Dual Agonist Obesity Contender Gains Momentum With Rani Partnership

 
• By 

The CEO of South Korean biotech shares how his company was able to reach a partnership with Rani so quickly and why it is confident in its GLP-1/GLP-2 dual agonist for obesity and diabetes, despite recent disappointing clinical results for its sole rival.

Scrip-Leadership (Free-2): Titans Of Pharma: Lilly’s Ricks Tops Big Pharma Pay Chart

 
• By 

The big pharma CEO with the highest-valued compensation in 2024 was David Ricks of Eli Lilly, while Pfizer and J&J executives slipped into third and fourth place behind AbbVie's now retired chief Richard Gonzalez. European firms brought up the rear.

As More DLL3 Bispecifics Advance, Doctors Are Adjusting To CRS, ICANS

 
• By 

Amgen’s Imdelltra for small-cell lung cancer is one of two bispecific T-cell engagers approved for solid tumors, but data at the WCLC meeting show other DLL3-targeting BiTEs may be on the way.

Novo Nordisk’s Semaglutide Shows Promise In Hidradenitis Suppurativa

 

An academic study of GLP-1 agonist showed promise in patients with the painful skin condition but with no signs that the Danish drugmaker will pursue the indication, smaller players in the space may be interested.

More from Scrip

EHA: Lilly’s Jaypirca Posts First Phase III Triplet Win In CLL While BTK Degraders Advance

Lilly's first Phase III triplet win opens the door to a label expansion in BTK-pretreated CLL, with analysts suggesting Jaypica could attain blockbuster status. However, the window to capitalize may be brief as next-generation BTK degraders close in with head-to-head trials.

EHA: Lilly’s Jaypirca Posts First Phase III Triplet Win In CLL While BTK Degraders Advance - Clone

Lilly's first Phase III triplet win opens the door to a label expansion in BTK-pretreated CLL, with analysts suggesting Jaypica could attain blockbuster status. However, the window to capitalize may be brief as next-generation BTK degraders close in with head-to-head trials.