Milestones in the history of Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk was created in 1989 through a merger of two Danish companies – Novo Industri A/S and Nordisk Gentofte A/S.
1923 Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium (later Nordisk Gentofte) founded.
1925 Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium (later Novo Industri) founded.
1926 Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium establishes Nordisk Insulin Foundation with the object of supporting physiological and endocrinological research and people with diabetes in Scandinavia.
1932 Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium founds the Steno Memorial Hospital.
1938 Novo founds Hvidøre Diabetes Sanatorium.
1946 Nordisk develops Isophane insulin (NPH), a neutral insulin with prolonged action.
1947 Penicillin Novo – Novo’s first product to be manufactured through fermentation – is launched.
1951 The Novo Foundation is set up with the object of supporting scientific, social and humanitarian causes, and to provide the best possible protection for the company.
1953 Lente® – a long-acting insulin-zinc suspension – is launched.
1973 Nordisk Gentofte markets Nanormon® – growth hormone for the treatment of growth hormone insufficiency. The growth hormone is extracted from human pituitary glands.
1973 Monocomponent (MC) insulin is introduced – the purest insulin available.
1974 Novo’s B shares are quoted on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange.
1981 Novo becomes the first company in Scandinavia to be quoted on the New York Stock Exchange.
1982 Human monocomponent insulin is launched – the world’s first insulin preparation identical to human insulin. It is extracted from the pancreas of pigs and converted to human insulin.
1985 NovoPen® – an injection system similar in appearance to a fountain pen and with replaceable insulin cartridges – is launched.
1987 Novo starts production of human insulin with the help of genetic engineering.
1988 Nordisk Gentofte markets Norditropin® – genetically engineered human growth hormone.
1989 Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium, the Nordisk Insulin Foundation and the Novo Foundation merge to become the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Its objectives are to provide a stable basis for the Novo Group companies' operations and to support scientific causes.
1989 Novo Industri A/S and Nordisk Gentofte A/S merge to become the world’s leading producer of insulin.
1989 NovoLet® – the world’s first prefilled insulin pen – is marketed.
1991 Novo Nordisk joins the environmental charter of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
1992 The Steno Memorial Hospital and Hvidøre Hospital merge to form the Steno Diabetes Center.
1994 Novo Nordisk is the first company in Denmark – and one of the first in the world – to publish an environmental report.
1996 NovoSeven® – for the treatment of people with haemophilia with inhibitor reaction – is launched.
1998 NovoNorm®/Prandin® – a new oral treatment for type 2 diabetes – is launched in the US and a number of European countries.
1998 Activelle® – the first low-dose continuous combined oral HRT for postmenopausal women – is introduced.
1999 Novo Nordisk publishes its first social report.
1999 NovoRapid® (NovoLog® in the US) – the first rapid-acting modern insulin – is marketed.
1999 Norditropin® SimpleXx® – the world’s first liquid growth hormone in a dedicated pen system – is launched.
2000 Novofem® – a low-dose sequential combined oral HRT – is marketed in Germany. Two years later it is launched in several other European countries.
2000 Novo Nordisk is split into three separate companies operating under the umbrella of the Novo Group: Novo Nordisk A/S, Novozymes A/S and Novo A/S.
2001 InnoLet® – the first insulin delivery system specially designed to suit the needs of insulin users with poor eyesight and reduced dexterity – is launched.
2001 Novo Nordisk establishes the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) with the purpose of improving diabetes care in developing countries.
2001 NovoRapid® FlexPen® and Insulatard® (NPH) FlexPen® are marketed. FlexPen® is a new prefilled pen designed to be easy and discreet to use.
2002 Novo Nordisk signs up to the United Nations Global Compact, a platform for encouraging and promoting good corporate principles and learning experiences in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
2002 NovoMix® 30 FlexPen® and NovoMix® Penfill® are introduced. NovoMix® 30 is a dual-release modern insulin.
2003 Norditropin NordiFlex® – the world's first prefilled growth hormone pen – is launched.
2004 Levemir® – a long-acting modern insulin – is launched.
2006 Novo Nordisk signs an agreement with WWF that commits the company to reduce its carbon emissions by 10% by 2014 compared with 2004. Novo Nordisk is the 10th company in the world to join the WWF Climate Savers initiative.
Product names
Not all products have been introduced worldwide. Trade names may vary from country to country.
This page has been assessed by PricewaterhouseCoopers as part of its assessment of Novo Nordisk’s statement that it reports ‘in accordance’ with GRI. Please refer to Audit and assurance for a full description of the nature of assurance offered.
