Novo Nordisk appoints Ludovic Helfgott executive vice president Biopharm

Bagsværd, Denmark, 15 October 2018 - Novo Nordisk A/S today announced the appointment of Ludovic Helfgott as executive vice president of Biopharm, effective 3 April 2019.

Based in Zürich, Switzerland, Helfgott will lead the development of Novo Nordisk's Biopharm business, which comprises the company's haemophilia and human growth hormone franchises. He will be a member of Novo Nordisk's Executive Management team and report to CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen.

Ludovic Helfgott joins Novo Nordisk from AstraZeneca where he most recently was global vice president in charge of the company's Cardiovascular, Metabolism and Renal global franchise, supervising both assets in development and on the market. He joined AstraZeneca in 2005 in an international sales effectiveness role and has since held operational leadership roles with increasing responsibilities in Italy, Spain and at corporate headquarters. A French national, Helfgott holds an MBA from Insead.

Commenting on his new role, he says: "I'm excited to join Novo Nordisk and look forward to working with the Biopharm team on improving lives for people with haemophilia, growth disorders and other serious chronic diseases".

Jesper Brandgaard, executive vice president, Biopharm & Legal Affairs, has decided to retire after a distinguished 20-year career at Novo Nordisk. He will remain in charge of Biopharm & Legal Affairs until Ludovic Helfgott assumes the responsibility of Novo Nordisk's Biopharm business.

Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen says: "I am delighted to welcome Ludovic Helfgott to Novo Nordisk and my executive team. He brings with him extensive experience in the development and launch of treatments for people with chronic diseases. In his new role, he will be instrumental in driving the continued development of our Biopharm business. I would also like to thank Jesper Brandgaard for his significant contributions to Novo Nordisk, both as our CFO for many years and most recently as head of Biopharm, where he has taken important steps towards bringing the business back on a growth track. I'm pleased that Jesper will continue in his current role until Ludovic joins Novo Nordisk."

Jesper Brandgaard says: "It has been a privilege for me to be part of Novo Nordisk's journey during my 20 years with the company. With strong successors in place within Finance, Legal Affairs and Biopharm, April 2019 will be a good time for me to pursue a non-executive career."

Further information

Company announcement No 78 / 2018