Milestones in Novo Nordisk’s history
Enjoy a virtual tour of the milestones in the history of Novo Nordisk from 1922 to the present.
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Milestones
Novo Nordisk was created in 1989 through a merger between two Danish companies – Novo Industri A/S and Nordisk Gentofte A/S.
1923 Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium founded.
1925 Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium founded.
1926 Nordisk establishes Nordisk Insulin Foundation with the object of supporting physiological and endocrinological research and people with diabetes in Scandinavia.
1932 Nordisk 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 Novo establishes the Novo Foundation with the object of supporting scientific, social and humanitarian causes and to provide the best possible protection for the company.
1953 Novo launches Lente® – a long-acting insulin–zinc suspension.
1973 Nordisk markets Nanormon® growth hormone for the treatment of growth hormone insufficiency. The growth hormone is extracted from human pituitary glands.
1973 Novo introduces Monocomponent (MC) insulin – 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 Novo launches Human Monocomponent insulin – the world's first insulin preparation identical to human insulin. It is extracted from the pancreases of pigs and converted to human insulin.
1985 NovoPen® – an injection system similar in appearance to a fountain pen, with replaceable insulin cartridges – is launched.
1987 Novo starts production of human insulin with the help of genetic engineering.
1988 Novo markets Vagifem® – the first unique vaginal tablet for atrophic vaginitis.
1988 Nordisk 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. The objects 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 Novo Nordisk A/S – the world's leading producer of insulin.
1989 NovoLet® – the world's first prefilled insulin syringe – 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 haemophilia patients with inhibitor reaction – is launched.
1998 NovoNorm® (Prandin® in the US) – a new oral treatment for type 2 diabetes – is launched in the US and a number of European countries.
1998 Activelle® (Activella® in the US) – 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 company's first modern insulin, a rapid-acting insulin analogue – is marketed. Modern insulins are designed to better mimic the normal insulin response to changes in blood sugar levels.
1999 Norditropin® SimpleXx® – the world's first liquid growth hormone in a dedicated pen system – is launched.
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 with the purpose of improving diabetes care in developing countries.
2001 NovoRapid® FlexPen® is marketed. FlexPen® is a new prefilled pen, designed for easy and discreet use.
2002 Novo Nordisk signs the United Nations Global Compact, a platform for promoting good corporate principles and learning experiences in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
2002 NovoMix® 30 – a dual-release modern insulin – is introduced.
2003 Norditropin NordiFlex® – the world's first prefilled growth hormone pen – is launched.
2004 Levemir® – a long-acting modern insulin – is launched.
2004 Novo Nordisk's articles of association are amended to specify that the company will “strive to conduct its activities in a financially, environmentally and socially responsible way”.
2005 The Novo Nordisk Haemophilia Foundation is set up in response to the significant need to improve haemophilia treatment in the developing world, underlining the company's social responsibility within haemophilia care.
2006 Novo Nordisk signs an agreement with the World Wide Fund for Nature (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.
2007 Activella® 0.5 mg/0.1 mg – the first ultra-low-dose oral HRT for women with menopausal symptoms – is launched in the US.
2007 In Montes Claros, Brazil, Novo Nordisk inaugurates its largest insulin production facility outside of Denmark.
2009 Victoza® - human Glucagon-Like Peptide (GLP-1) analogue for once-daily treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes - is launched in Europe.
Product names:
Not all products have been introduced worldwide. Trade names may vary from country to country.
