Stem cell research
Stem cell research has raised hopes of future treatment with cell transplantation that can be offered to people with many different serious chronic diseases caused by degeneration of defined cell types, such as in the case of diabetes and Parkinson's disease. At the same time, research into human embryonic stem cells has provoked an important ethical debate based on culturally founded objections to certain types of research. We pursue human stem cell research as part of our vision to find a cure for diabetes. In doing so, we take ethical considerations into account.
Read the Novo Nordisk position on stem cells.
Performance 2006
In 2006 Novo Nordisk continued to be at the forefront of stem cell research through the Hagedorn Research Institute, an independent basic research component of Novo Nordisk in which the company is currently investing more than 15 million Danish kroner in developmental biology and stem cell research. Hagedorn is a major industrial partner in two cutting-edge research efforts: Beta Cell Biology Consortium (BCBC), supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH); and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Center for Beta Cell Therapy in Diabetes in Europe, which is funded by the EU.
In 2006 the JDRF Centre for Beta Cell Therapy reached its milestones to release the second year’s instalment of a five-year 11.8 million euro grant for research in which Hagedorn leads the work of nine laboratories across Europe to further study the potential of embryonic stem cells to become mature functioning beta cells in vitro. Also in 2006 Hagedorn reached its milestones to release the second year’s instalment of a prestigious four-year 4.3 million US dollar grant from NIH to coordinate a predominantly European research effort in developmental biology at BCBC.
Novo Nordisk’s approach
Finding a cure for diabetes is part of Novo Nordisk's vision. Human stem cell research with the potential of cell transplantation is presently the most promising approach to achieving this goal for type 1 diabetes. We want to be prepared for these new therapies and thus maintain a successful and sustainable business within diabetes care in the future.
Novo Nordisk is, and has for a long time been, a partner in national and international cooperative projects involving stem cells. We only use human embryonic stem cells when we anticipate that the same results cannot be obtained from the use of adult stem cells. At present no source other than embryonic stem cells has proven useful in generating insulin-producing cells like those found in people.
Novo Nordisk, along with the majority of scientists within the field of stem cell research, finds that it is essential to proceed with research in both adult and embryonic stem cells in parallel, partly to gain basic knowledge about the normal cell maturation processes and partly to clarify the potential of the two cell types. Cell nuclear transfer and therapeutic cloning do not presently offer any advantages that in any way outweigh both the inherent scientific risks and the ethical dilemmas, and Novo Nordisk does not see any need for therapeutic cloning in the foreseeable future.
Novo Nordisk is respectful of those who have culturally founded objections to the use of human embryonic stem cells. We actively contribute to an open dialogue and support an ethical and political clarification regarding the use of human embryonic stem cells. In Europe, large differences exist between the different countries with regard to the legislation and control of research on human embryonic stem cells. This is a cause for concern, and Novo Nordisk therefore urges all countries to establish legislation that will ensure that this important research is adequately regulated and controlled.
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