Novo Nordisk’s chairman Helge Lund has resigned amid a boardroom overhaul led by the company’s largest shareholder as the Danish drugmaker seeks a stronger foothold in the U.S. weight-loss market. Lund will be replaced by former CEO Lars Rebien Sorensen, who leads the Novo Nordisk Foundation; more than half the board is set to be replaced ahead of an extraordinary general meeting on 14 November. Only five board members, including Kasim Kutay of Novo Holding, are expected to remain. Lund said the split followed a failure to reach a shared understanding: “We failed to reach common understanding.”

The shake-up reflects pressure to shift toward a more consumer-focused approach as Novo Nordisk faces competition from Eli Lilly, lower-cost copycat products, and U.S. political pressure on prices. Sorensen warned the market is becoming “more consumer-oriented” and called large-scale, low-cost GLP‑1 production a future competitive advantage. The company has proposed new board nominees including former Pfizer science chief Mikael Dolsten and ex-Danske Bank CFO Stephan Engels.

Novo is accelerating direct-to-consumer efforts after rivals like Eli Lilly expanded platforms such as LillyDirect; Novo launched NovoCare and struck partnerships including with telemedicine provider Hims & Hers, a tie that drew controversy in June. Analysts from UBS, Morningstar and BMO say stronger consumer-market expertise will be crucial as Novo prepares for a slimming-pill launch and explores new distribution and reimbursement models to reach more U.S. patients. #NovoNordisk #EliLilly #Wegovy #Ozempic #GLP1 #FiatNews