Novo Nordisk CEO and Board Leadership Step Down Amid Market Pressures; New Board to Prioritize Faster Decision-Making
Novo Nordisk’s CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen will step down following eight years in the role, amid mounting market and competitive pressures, including a sharp decline in share price since mid-202423457.
The leadership change follows a conflict and disagreement between the board and Novo Nordisk's major owner, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, which controls most shareholder votes13.
Key factors leading to the shakeup include increased competition in obesity and diabetes treatments, less-than-expected results from next-generation drugs, and declining stock performance, with shares down over 50% since mid-2024345.
The Foundation board pressed for an accelerated CEO succession and for increased representation and influence on corporate decisions, aiming to make the company more agile and responsive to market changes23.
Lars Rebien Sørensen, former CEO and current chair of the Foundation, will rejoin board activities, initially as an observer with plans for formal board nomination by 2026236.
Novo Nordisk’s new board is expected to focus on faster, more decisive strategic initiatives to address market challenges and restore growth3.
Sources:
1. https://biostock.se/en/2025/10/massavhopp-i-novo-styrelse-efter-oenighet-med-storagaren/
2. https://www.pharmexec.com/view/novo-nordisk-ceo-lars-fruergaard-jorgensen-step-down-strategic-leadership-transition
3. https://www.dcatvci.org/top-industry-news/novo-nordisk-ceo-to-step-down/
4. https://trial.medpath.com/news/065fc85b3830e158/novo-nordisk-ceo-steps-down-after-eight-years-as-company-faces-market-pressures
5. https://www.americanpharmaceuticalreview.com/1315-News/619375-Novo-Nordisk-CEO-to-Step-Down-Amid-Market-Pressures-and-Intensifying-Competition/
6. https://www.statnews.com/2025/05/16/lars-jorgensen-novo-nordisk-ceo-wegovy-ozempic/
7. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/novo-nordisk-ceo-lars-jorgensen-weight-loss-drug-wegovy-to-step-down/