New Nordisk, Danish pharmacist known for diabetes and obesity drugs such as WeGovy and Ozepic, announced on Friday (16) that CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgesen will leave office. The decision occurs amid challenges faced by the company in the market and the drop in stock price since mid -2024.
According to an official statement, Jørgensen will remain in office for a period to ensure a soft transition while the company conducts the succession process. The name of the new CEO will still be announced.
“Serve as CEO of the new Nordisk in the last eight years has been a privilege,” said Jørgensen.
The company’s shares retreated 3% shortly after the announcement of the Executive’s departure.
The company states that its strategy remains unchanged and that the board is confident of the ability of the current leadership to execute its business plans.
Executive departure also occurs after the Novo Nordisk Foundation – which controls the majority of the votes at the company’s General Assembly – start a dialogue with the Council on the acceleration of succession in the leadership. As part of this movement, Lars Rebien Sørensen, current president of the New Nordisk Foundation and former CEO of the pharmacist between 2000 and 2016, will act as an observer at the council meetings, with the intention of being appointed as an effective member in 2026.
