Table of Contents
Novo Nordisk's diabetes and obesity drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy, have become a global phenomenon, generating billions in sales and transforming the company into Europe's most valuable. The company's success has had a profound impact on its home country of Denmark, driving economic growth and influencing government spending and policy decisions. Novo's influence extends to educational and research priorities, and the company's expansion has created thousands of jobs and benefited Danish pension funds and the housing market. However, Novo's enormous scale also comes with risks, as its every move is met with media scrutiny and it is vulnerable to public backlash and regulatory shifts. The company's dominance has raised concerns about its impact on academic freedom and research priorities, as well as its influence over national policy and local government decisions. Novo's success has also led to concerns about Denmark's growing dependence on the company, with some experts warning of a "Nokia risk" if the company were to stumble or fall. Despite its massive success, Novo's dominance is causing issues in Denmark, with businesses complaining about the company vacuuming up workers and real estate agents reporting difficulties in finding rental homes due to the influx of Novo employees. As Novo continues to grow, it is becoming increasingly clear that the Nordic country is becoming too small for the company. However, Novo's success may ultimately enable Denmark to wean itself off the drugmaker by cementing its position as a leading area within the pharmaceutical industry in Europe.
