Novo Nordisk’s Leadership Shakeup and Wider Implications; Ex-FDA Official Takes Regulatory Role at GSK

Novo Nordisk appointed Maziar Mike Doustdar, the current head of international operations, as its new President and CEO, effective August 7, 2025, succeeding Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen who announced his departure in May 20251234.

This leadership change is part of a broader shakeup at Novo Nordisk, which includes multiple executive-level changes; Emil Kongshøj Larsen will take over as Executive Vice President of International Operations3.

Novo Nordisk cut its 2025 sales and profit growth forecasts, attributing the downgrade to slowing sales of weight-loss and diabetes drugs, especially Wegovy, due to increased competition from copycat (compounded) drugs and slower market expansion124.

Following the announcements, Novo Nordisk's share price plunged over 20%, extending a sharp decline that has seen the company's stock fall nearly 37% since the beginning of 202525.

The company is actively pursuing legal and regulatory strategies to combat the use and sale of knockoff semaglutide drugs, highlighting safety concerns for patients2.

Novo Nordisk's shakeup reflects larger industry trends—with several major pharmaceutical firms making C-suite changes as they face patent cliffs, regulatory shifts, and global market challenges5.

Separately, a former FDA official has taken a regulatory affairs leadership role at GSK, though specific details and the official's identity are not included in the available search results.

Sources:

1. https://www.statnews.com/2025/07/29/novo-nordisk-maziar-mike-doustdar-ceo-growth-outlook/

2. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/novo-nordisk-shares-down-copycat-drugs-july-2025/

3. https://www.dcatvci.org/top-industry-news/novo-nordisk-names-new-ceo-makes-other-leadership-changes/

4. https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/novo-cuts-guidance-new-ceo-obesity-wegovy/756136/

5. https://www.pharmavoice.com/news/ceo-pharma-novo-mike-doustdar-jnj-kenvue-jazz/756365/