Publications
Partners
Novo Nordisk
Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has recently celebrated the completion of 90 years since the first diabetes patients were treated with the company's insulin.
Ever since, the company has been focused on developing new and better treatments for people with diabetes and is today the world's largest diabetes care company. Novo Nordisk provides therapeutic treatments for an estimated 23 million people with diabetes worldwide and produces approximately 50 per cent of all insulin in the world.
Dr. Timmy Kedijang, the General Manager of Novo Nordisk South Africa says “expanding waistlines are causing an epidemic of Type 2 diabetes around the world, and lifestyle management is as important as appropriate medical treatment.”
The company’s story began in 1921, shortly after a team of scientists in Canada discovered insulin.
Foundation
Dr Marie Krogh - a Danish medical doctor and scientist who had type 2 diabetes herself - was quick to realise the importance of this discovery.
Marie and August Krogh set up a foundation called Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium, and made this the company’s majority shareholder in order to secure its independence. The foundation was also used as a channel to provide grants for research and humanitarian purposes.
A similar foundation was established in 1951 by Novo’s founders, Harald Petersen and Thorvald Pedersen, and the foundation-based business model has been maintained since the subsequent merger of the two companies.
Holistic approach
With the merger of two Danish pioneering foundations (Novo and Nordisk) in 1989, it continues to be at the forefront of developing new insulin delivery systems and advocating for a holistic approach to preventing and managing diabetes.
"Approximately 371 million people worldwide are living with diabetes," says Dr. Kedijang, "and this could rise to 550 million by 2030.
"At Novo Nordisk we therefore see our role not only as a provider of the very best treatment options, but also as a leader in facilitating access to lifestyle education and diabetes testing and treatment. Our founders set the bar very high, and we intend to keep raising it."
The first few years and history can be viewed via this video: http://video.novonordisk.com/video/7772789/novo-nordisk-90th-anniversary-defining
Ever since, the company has been focused on developing new and better treatments for people with diabetes and is today the world's largest diabetes care company. Novo Nordisk provides therapeutic treatments for an estimated 23 million people with diabetes worldwide and produces approximately 50 per cent of all insulin in the world.
Dr. Timmy Kedijang, the General Manager of Novo Nordisk South Africa says “expanding waistlines are causing an epidemic of Type 2 diabetes around the world, and lifestyle management is as important as appropriate medical treatment.”
The company’s story began in 1921, shortly after a team of scientists in Canada discovered insulin.
Foundation
Dr Marie Krogh - a Danish medical doctor and scientist who had type 2 diabetes herself - was quick to realise the importance of this discovery.
Marie and August Krogh set up a foundation called Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium, and made this the company’s majority shareholder in order to secure its independence. The foundation was also used as a channel to provide grants for research and humanitarian purposes.
A similar foundation was established in 1951 by Novo’s founders, Harald Petersen and Thorvald Pedersen, and the foundation-based business model has been maintained since the subsequent merger of the two companies.
Holistic approach
With the merger of two Danish pioneering foundations (Novo and Nordisk) in 1989, it continues to be at the forefront of developing new insulin delivery systems and advocating for a holistic approach to preventing and managing diabetes.
"Approximately 371 million people worldwide are living with diabetes," says Dr. Kedijang, "and this could rise to 550 million by 2030.
"At Novo Nordisk we therefore see our role not only as a provider of the very best treatment options, but also as a leader in facilitating access to lifestyle education and diabetes testing and treatment. Our founders set the bar very high, and we intend to keep raising it."
The first few years and history can be viewed via this video: http://video.novonordisk.com/video/7772789/novo-nordisk-90th-anniversary-defining
