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Pursuing innovation
Cell therapy
Aspiring to write the future of cell therapy
The drive to innovate
At Novo Nordisk, we aspire to write the future of cell
therapy.
Our focus positions us to pioneer treatments that may be uniquely qualified to change the lives of people living with serious chronic diseases. We are working to develop treatments for Parkinson's disease, chronic heart failure and type 1 diabetes that have the potential to halt disease progression — or even reverse it.
By collaborating with the best in the world, we aim to accelerate the research that’s needed to develop transformative cell therapies faster for those living with serious chronic diseases. We are driving change to shape a future where people may be propelled by aspirations rather than limited by disease.
With every day and every breakthrough, we could come closer to achieving this, together.
Our cell therapy development areas
We relentlessly pursue innovative solutions for some of the most prevalent unmet health needs
See how we're on the front lines of tapping into the therapeutic potential of cells.
Aspiring to write the future of cell therapy
Novo Nordisk’s commitment to cell therapy research and development is supported by a long-standing heritage of delivering innovative treatments to patients with serious chronic disease.
Aspiring for more with commitment and innovation
Parkinson’s Disease
Rachel Gibson
living with Parkinson’s disease, UK
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterised by the progressive loss of neurons in the brain which produce the hormone dopamine. We are developing a therapy to replace these neurons, with the aim of halting disease progression. Our TRANSCEND clinical programme uses STEM-PD, an investigational neuronal cell therapy product which can be transplanted into the brain with an aim to restore dopamine production. PD is a debilitating disease which throws people into a state of unending uncertainty. Characterised by a relentless degeneration in motor control, symptoms of PD include slowness of motion (bradykinesia), resting tremors and loss of balance.
Chronic Heart Failure
Ole Therkildsen
living with Chronic Heart Failure, Denmark
Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) is a progressive disease in which the heart is unable to pump sufficiently to meet the body’s need for blood and oxygen. This leads to symptoms such as severe breathlessness, exhaustion, and chest pain that leave many patients unable to perform simple, daily activities. CHF continues to impose a large medical and economic burden as there are no options available to treat the associated cellular damage that leads to reduced heart function. Novo Nordisk, along with global collaborators, are working together to unlock the potential of a transformative cell therapy that could change the treatment paradigm of CHF. Our goal is simple: to ensure people with this chronic disease can live longer with strengthened hearts, less fatigue, and a higher quality of life.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a lifelong disease that affects the body’s ability to convert glucose from food into energy. In most cases, T1D develops early in life and is often diagnosed during childhood. The disease starts when the immune system attacks cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, the hormone that helps convert glucose into energy for the body’s cells. Our goal is a cure for T1D. Building on our 100-year commitment to research and development of treatments for diabetes, we are progressing our research in cell therapy, which aims to help patients regain insulin-producing islet cells, so they can reduce, or even eliminate, the need for daily insulin.
Our commitment to drive innovative change in Parkinson’s disease
STEM-PD study
Our partner Lund University is investigating the use of pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic neuron transplantation for the treatment of PD. The study, named STEM-PD, has now been initiated.
Meet Ole, living with Chronic Heart Failure.
Living with Chronic Heart Failure
Since a heart attack in 1992, Ole has been living with Chronic Heart Failure which has impacted the life of him and his wife Rose significantly. Watch their story.
A transformative approach to reduce the global burden of disease
Partnerships that aspire for more
Novo Nordisk is partnering with global innovators to accelerate the development of therapeutic breakthroughs at scale.
Through strategic collaborations with leading experts and large-scale manufacturing capabilities, Novo Nordisk aims to develop and deliver transformative cell therapy treatments to those that need them, with sustainability as a guiding force.
Our ability to innovate cell therapies that have the potential to significantly impact disease depends on partnerships grounded in long-term commitment and mutual interest. By partnering with academia, biotechs, and device experts, we can share knowledge, data, and capabilities in ways that bring us closer to developing potential cell therapies for people living with serious chronic disease.
Research technology for therapeutic breakthroughs
For almost a century, we have successfully leveraged our core capabilities in developing leading biologics to provide treatments for those living with serious chronic diseases.
We continuously evolve and strengthen our capabilities through investments in advanced technology platforms, such as cell therapy, to accelerate future success of our research process.
Innovating on a global scale
We have global R&D centers located across 3 continents, allowing us to diversify our pipeline with innovative medicines, with sustainability as a guiding force. This includes our Fremont California facility that’s dedicated to GMP manufacturing of cell therapies for use in clinical trials. Our global approach enables us to work in a sustainable way.
