Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen (born 29 November 1966)[1] is a Danish businessman, the Chief Executive of Novo Nordisk since January 2017 and Chairman of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations.
Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen | |
|---|---|
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| Born | November 29, 1966 |
| Occupation | CEO at Novo Nordisk |
| Employer | Novo Nordisk (since 1994) |
He was named as the Financial Times Person of the Year in December 2023.
Early life and education
editJørgensen was educated at the Cathedral School of Viborg.[2][3] In 1991 Jørgensen earned an MSc in Finance & Business Administration from Aarhus University.[4]
Career
editIn 1991, Jørgensen joined Novo Nordisk as an economist in Health Care, Economy & Planning. He was appointed as vice-president for IT and Corporate Development in 2004. In January 2013, he was appointed as executive vice president and chief information officer. In November 2014 oversaw Corporate People & Organization and Business Assurance.[4]
In September 2016, it was announced that Jørgensen would succeed Lars Rebien Sørensen as CEO of Novo Nordisk, after Sørensen had announced his departure at the end of the year.[5] In January 2017, Mr. Jørgensen was appointed president and chief executive officer.[4]
Jørgensen is President of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations[2] and member of the Board of Directors at Danmarks Nationalbank.[4] He has also served as a member of several company boards of directors, including Innate Pharma in France, Harno Invest, NNIT, and NNE Pharmaplan.[5]
Senate hearing
editOn September 24, 2024, Jørgensen appeared before the Senate Committee on Health Education, Labor, and Pensions to defend Ozempic and Wegovy drug pricing.[6] The committee, led by Bernie Sanders, reiterated the point that drug prices should be substantially lowered. Jørgensen reiterated that pharmacy benefit managers, PBMs, lower coverage when prices have a lower list price, thus making the access to the drugs harder for individuals.[7] Sanders claimed three of the top PBMs promised to not reduce access if prices are lowered, however, Jørgensen had his doubts to these claims.[6] Jørgensen reiterated that he will support any effort to help patients access the drug.[8] Roger Marshall, a physician, sided with Novo Nordisk and showed sympathy saying Novo Nordisk "is not a villain in this story, they're a hero."[7][9]
Honours
edit- May 2019: Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog[10]
- 2020: Lederne Leader of the Year[11]
- December 2023: Financial Times Person of the Year[2]
- 2024 Time Magazine 100 most influential people in health[12]
Notes
edit- ^ Meddings, Sabah (7 August 2022). "Novo Nordisk boss Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen: We bring hope in the war on obesity". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022.
- ^ a b c Hannah Kuchler, "FT Person of the Year: Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen of Novo Nordisk", Financial Times, 19 December 2023, accessed 6 January 2024
- ^ "Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, Novo Nordisk A/S: Profile and Biography", Bloomberg.com, accessed 6 January 2024
- ^ a b c d "Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen". Novo Nordisk. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Midtjysk topchef i Novo Nordisk", amtsavisen.dk, 22 September 2016, accessed 6 January 2024 (in Danish)
- ^ a b Roush, Ty. "Novo Nordisk CEO Defends Ozempic Price In Senate Testimony". Forbes. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Novo Nordisk CEO grilled for steep cost of Ozempic and other weight loss drugs - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 24 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ Gilbert, Daniel (24 September 2024). "Senators press Novo Nordisk CEO on why Ozempic and Wegovy cost less abroad".
- ^ "Novo Nordisk CEO grilled by Senate committee over GLP-1 prices". Yahoo Finance. 24 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ "Ingeniører kårer for 20. gang i træk Novo Nordisk som landets mest attraktive arbejdsplads", Ingeniøren, 28 May 2020 (in Danish)
- ^ "Tidligere vindere af Årets Leder-prisen", Lederne.dk (in Danish)
- ^ Park, Alice (2 May 2024). "Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen". TIME. Retrieved 17 September 2024.