Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen
Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) | |
| Born | November 29, 1966 |
| Occupation | CEO at Novo Nordisk |
| Employer | Novo Nordisk (since 1994) |
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.
He was named as the Financial Times Person of the Year in December 2023.
Early life and education
[edit]Jørgensen 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
[edit]In 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
[edit]On 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.