The Novo Group
A group of companies controlled by the Novo Nordisk Foundation
The Novo Group is a group of three independent companies that are ultimately controlled by the Novo Nordisk Foundation: Novo Holdings, Novo Nordisk A/S and Novonesis A/S.
Novo Holdings is responsible for managing the assets and wealth of the Novo Nordisk Foundation and serves as the holding company of the Group.
Through Novo Holdings, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is the controlling shareholder in Novo Nordisk A/S and Novonesis A/S. Novo Holdings owns more than 25% of the ordinary share capital of the companies, including all the preferred (A) shares, and more than 70% of the votes. In both Novo Nordisk and Novonesis each preferred (A) share is allocated 10 votes and each ordinary (B) share one vote.
As part of its enterprise foundation structure, the Foundation is obligated to maintain its controlling ownership in both companies.
Novo Holdings is tasked with managing the assets and wealth of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Our portfolio includes the controlling shares in the Novo Group companies, and an investment portfolio of life science and capital investments.
In 2023, the Novo Group Companies, Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S, delivered historically strong results. Novo Nordisk’s sales increased by 26% in DKK and by 16% at constant exchange rates, and Novozymes reported 9% organic sales growth in 2022, marking the highest organic sales growth in more than a decade.
Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 100 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. Novo Nordisk also has leading positions within haemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy.
Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk A/S employs more than 64,000 employees in 80 countries and markets its products in 168 countries. In 2023, Novo Nordisk A/S had revenue of DKK 232,261 million.
Novo Nordisk’s B shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen (Novo-B). Its American Depository Receipts (ADRs) are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NVO).
Novonesis A/S
Novonesis is a global company leading the era of biosolutions. By leveraging the power of microbiology with science, Novonesis transforms the way the world produces, consumes and lives. All around the world, their biosolutions already create value for thousands of customers and benefit the planet.
Headquartered in Denmark, Novonesis has 10,000 employees worldwide, whose expertise spans more than 30 different industries, and more than 10,000 active patents. Novonesis (Novozymes) B shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen.
Novo Group and Investment Portfolio
Total Assets under Management (AuM) FY23 €108 billion – breakdown:
The Novo Group Charter
Present as well as future companies in the Novo Group must demonstrate willingness, ability and resolve to meet the following criteria:
company products and services make a significant difference in improving the way people live and work;
the company is perceived to be an innovator – in technology, in products, in services and/or in market approach;
the company is among the best in its business and a challenging place to work;
the company delivers competitive financial performance.
Companies in the Novo Group commit to:
values-based management;
open and honest dialogue with its stakeholders;
continuous improvement of financial performance, environmental performance and social performance;
reporting in accordance with relevant, internationally approved, conventions.