Novo Nordisk has announced the departure of CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen. This decision comes after a mutual agreement with the board, primarily driven by a significant drop in the company's share price and downgraded financial forecasts, as reported by AP News.
The Copenhagen-based pharmaceutical company is experiencing intensified competition from U.S. rival Eli Lilly, particularly in obesity and diabetes drug markets. During the past year, Novo Nordisk's stock fell by over 50%, accompanied by both a decline in profits and market share, according to the Financial Times. Additionally, the company is contending with regulatory challenges in the United States, where cheaper replica drugs, despite a recent ban, are creating hurdles.
In response to these challenges, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is stepping up its influence on company decisions, indicating a shift away from its traditional leadership. Reuters highlighted strategic changes, including concerns over future product offerings, especially following underwhelming clinical trial results for treatments like CagriSema. This shake-up signals a critical point for Novo Nordisk in the competitive landscape of obesity treatments.