Marie and August Krogh were no ordinary couple. She was among Denmark’s first female medical graduates, while he was a renowned physiologist and Nobel laureate. Marie also had diabetes – a disease considered a death sentence at the time.
After hearing of the discovery of insulin in 1921, August and Marie 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 his 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, kicking off a century of innovation within diabetes.
This remarkable love story marked the beginning of Novo Nordisk and set the stage for our life-changing protein-based treatments for people living with serious chronic diseases. An unordinary beginning? Of course. But when it comes to driving change, there’s no greater power than love.
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.
2023 – A century of driving change
Children in Copenhagen, Denmark
Novo Nordisk turns 100, an incredible milestone and opportunity to renew our commitment to drive change for a healthier world today – and for generations to come.
2023 – A century of driving change
Novo Nordisk turns 100, an incredible milestone and opportunity to renew our commitment to drive change for a healthier world today – and for generations to come.
Children in Copenhagen, Denmark
Scaling manufacturing
2024
The acquisition of US-based Catalent, a global contract development and manufacturing organisation, will boost production capacity and enable us to reach more patients than ever before.
2024
Scaling manufacturing
The acquisition of US-based Catalent, a global contract development and manufacturing organisation, will boost production capacity and enable us to reach more patients than ever before.
Leading the way in metabolic and cardiovascular health
2025
Building on our deep scientific knowledge, we are developing novel treatments across the spectrum of metabolic and cardiovascular health - including type 2 diabetes, obesity, CVD and MASH.
2025
Leading the way in metabolic and cardiovascular health
Building on our deep scientific knowledge, we are developing novel treatments across the spectrum of metabolic and cardiovascular health - including type 2 diabetes, obesity, CVD and MASH.
