Novo Nordisk Foundation

The Novo Nordisk Foundation is an international foundation focusing on medical treatment and research. In 2020, the foundation had a net worth of $73.1 billion (457 billion DKK), making it the largest financial endowment of any foundation in Denmark [2] and the largest endowment in the world. Novo Nordisk Foundation owns Novo Holdings A/S, a holding company and majority shareholder of Novo Nordisk.[3]

Novo Nordisk Foundation
Founded1989 (1989) in Denmark
TypeFund
HeadquartersHellerup, Denmark
FieldsLife-sciences, natural sciences, social sciences
Endowment$73.1 billion USD (457 billion DKK) in 2020[1]
Websitenovonordiskfonden.dk/en

In 2020 the foundation awarded $0.91 billion (5.54 billion DKK) and paid out $0.75 billion (4.6 billion DKK) worth of grants.[4]

Since 2010, the foundation distributed more than 1.3 billion US dollars for research, innovation, treatment, education and humanitarian and social purposes.[5] The Foundation typically distributes more than 300 million US dollars each year to research within the fields of Life sciences and Bioscience.[6] While the main focus lies within biomedicine and biotechnology research, the Foundation also awards grants for research in general practice and family medicine, nursing and art history.

History

In 1922, Danish professor August Krogh received permission to produce insulin in the Nordic countries. This sparked the development of new diabetes treatments and the beginning of a Danish business and export venture. Several foundations were also established which have subsequently merged into the Novo Nordisk Foundation.[7]

In recent years, the Foundation has increased its focus on innovation, diabetes treatment and grants for humanitarian and social purposes. In 2016 the Foundation awarded a little over 420 million US dollars to the Capital Region of Denmark to establish Steno Diabetes Center in Copenhagen, a diabetes treatment and research institution.[8][9]

Constellation and ownership structure

The Novo Nordisk Foundations investment activities are managed by its 100%-owned subsidiary, Novo Holdings A/S which sole purpose is to invest the foundations wealth and ensure financial returns.

Ownership structure. The Novo Nordisk Foundation owns 100% of Novo Holdings A/S who owns shares in Novo Nordisk and Novozymes

Novo Holdings A/S is also the holding company for the foundation's ownership in Novo Group (Novo Nordisk and Novozymes).[10][11][12]

Ownership structure

The Novo Nordisk Foundation is obligated to maintain its controlling ownership in the Novo Groups two largest companies: Novo Nordisk and Novozymes.

  • The foundation owns class A and B-shares in Novo Nordisk corresponding to approximately 28 percent of the total equity and approximately 75 percent of the total voting rights.[10]
  • The foundation owns class A and B-shares in Novozymes corresponding to approximately 25 percent of the total equity and approximately 71 percent of the total voting rights.[10]

The class A-shares in both companies (Novo Nordisk and Novozymes) are unlisted and cannot be traded. The voting weight of the A-shares are 10x those of B-shares in both companies.

Profits and taxation

The Novo Nordisk Foundation receives cashflows and profits from paid dividends from Novo Holdings A/S. The paid dividends are taxed in the underlying companies in correspondence with Danish corporate tax laws, prior to being paid out as dividends.

Endowment

The Novo Nordisk Foundation is the primary owner of Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S through the foundation's subsidiary company Novo Holdings A/S.[13] Aside from Novo Nordisk and Novozymes, the foundation is also a major shareholder in more than 75 other companies. The foundation's financial endowment is maintained by dividends and returns on these investments.

Distribution of grants

The foundation has an objective of providing support for scientific, humanitarian and social purposes.

The grants go primarily to support research in biomedicine, biotechnology, general medicine, nursing and art history at public knowledge institutions. Humanitarian and social purposes includes the Steno Diabetes Center research hospital.[14] In addition, the Novo Nordisk Foundation also awards a number of awards each year aiming to recognize and reward individuals for "outstanding research, teaching, or other support for research".[15]

Annual distribution summary

In 2020, the foundation distributed a total of DKK 10.17 billion[16] (approx $1.67 billion) and paid out DKK 4.6 billion ($0.75 billion) in grants.

In 2019, the foundation distributed a total of DKK 8.5 billion[17] (approx $1.29 billion) and paid out DKK 3.6 billion ($0.57 billion) in grants.

In 2018, the foundation distributed a total of DKK 3.9 billion[18] (approx $0.59 billion) and paid out DKK 1,75 billion ($0.28 billion) in grants.

In 2017, the foundation distributed support for DKK 5.8 billion[19][20] (approx $0.88 billion)

In 2016, the fund provided support for DKK 4.2 billion[19] (approx $0.64 billion).

COVID-19 pandemic

The Novo Nordisk Foundation contributed to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020.[21]

The foundation (as of June 2020) has donated DKK 366.2 million[22] (approx $55.77 million) for corona-related measures.

  • Test centers in Denmark: DKK 250 million for 11 COVID-19 test centers throughout Denmark.[23]
  • Projects: DKK 74.9 million[24] for 43 different projects aimed at mitigating the health consequences of COVID-19 in Denmark.
  • Emergency production of ethanol: DKK 17.5 million granted in cooperation with The Carlsberg Foundation[25] for emergency production of ethanol for hand sanitizers and disinfection.
  • Research projects: DKK 6.6 million for three research projects.[22]
  • Trials: DKK 5 million[22] in support for trials for anti-inflammatory drugs against COVID-19 in collaboration with Rigshospitalet.

Leadership

The current chairman of the Novo Nordisk Foundation is Lars Rebien Sørensen and Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen is the current CEO.[26]

See also

References
  1. https://novonordiskfonden.dk/wp-content/uploads/NNF-pixie-annual-report-UK-2020-FINAL.pdf
  2. https://novonordiskfonden.dk/wp-content/uploads/Annual-Rapport-2019.pdf
  3. "Form 6-K NOVO NORDISK A S For: Mar 31". StreetInsider.com. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  4. Novo Nordisk Foundation 2020 Annual Report: https://novonordiskfonden.dk/wp-content/uploads/NNF-pixie-annual-report-UK-2020-FINAL.pdf
  5. "Novo Nordisk Foundation Magazine 2015".
  6. "Novo-fond fordobler støtte til forskning og gode formål". 18 March 2016.
  7. "History".
  8. https://www.linkedin.com/company/novo-nordisk-fonden
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-03-04. Retrieved 2017-03-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. Novo Nordisk Foundation - ownership structure https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/about-the-foundation/ownership/
  11. Ownership constellation https://www.enterprisefoundations.dk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Novo-Nordisk-09.pdf
  12. Bourses-Etudiants: Novo Nordisk Foundation https://www.bourses-etudiants.ma/organisme/novo-nordisk-foundation/
  13. "Inside View: Novo Nordisk Foundation". Nature. 4 November 2015. doi:10.1038/nj0470.
  14. Projects we support Focus on improving people’s lives https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/projects-we-support/
  15. "Novo Nordisk and Novozymes Prizes Awarded".
  16. Novo Nordisk Foundation 2020 Grants Report: https://novonordiskfonden.dk/wp-content/uploads/Grant-Report-2020.pdf
  17. Grant report 2019 https://novonordiskfonden.dk/wp-content/uploads/Grant-Rapport-2019.pdf
  18. Page 7 of the grant report 2018 https://novonordiskfonden.dk/wp-content/uploads/UK_GRANT_REPORT_2018.pdf
  19. "Novo-fonden uddeler rekordmange milliarder". 22 March 2018.
  20. "Novo Nordisk Fonden sætter rekord: Uddelte 5,8 mia. Kr. I 2017". 22 March 2018.
  21. "Novo Nordisk Foundation: Societal Responses to and Preparedness for Emerging Viral Infections – 2020 (Denmark)". 3 April 2020.
  22. "Initiatives - Covid-19".
  23. "New Danish agency will test up to 20,000 people a day for coronavirus". 21 April 2020.
  24. "The last round in Novo Nordisk Foundation's emergency coronavirus programme". 24 April 2020.
  25. "The Carlsberg Foundation supports emergency production of ethanol with DKK 8.7 million | Carlsbergfondet".
  26. "Board".
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