Novartis vs Novo Nordisk: Founders, CEOs and History
Novartis was founded in 1996 by Daniel Vasella, Alex Krauer and is led by Vasant Narasimhan. Novo Nordisk was founded in 1989 by Hans Christian Hagedorn, Harald Pedersen and is led by Maziar Mike Doustdar.
Company facts
Novartis
- Founded
- 1996
- Headquarters
- Basel, Switzerland
- Current CEO
- Vasant Narasimhan
- Employees
- 75,267
Novo Nordisk
- Founded
- 1989
- Headquarters
- Bagsvaerd, Denmark
- Current CEO
- Maziar Mike Doustdar
- Employees
- 66,700
Founders
Novartis
Daniel Vasella
Novartis was formed in December 1996 when Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz merged in a deal valued at roughly $27 billion, then among the largest corporate mergers on record.
Alex Krauer
Alex Krauer was the first chairman of Novartis, serving from the company's formation through the roughly $27 billion merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz in 1996 until 1999, when the board named CEO Daniel Vasella to replace him as chairman.
Novo Nordisk
Hans Christian Hagedorn
Hans Christian Hagedorn (1888-1971) was a Danish physician who co-founded Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium in 1923 with August and Marie Krogh after the Kroghs obtained rights to make insulin in Scandinavia.
Harald Pedersen
Harald Pedersen and his brother Thorvald worked at Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium before a 1924 dispute led them to set up Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium in Copenhagen in 1925.
CEOs and their tenures
Novartis
- Joseph Jimenez2010–2018
Chief Executive Officer
Serving as CEO from 2010 to 2018, he fundamentally transformed the massive Swiss conglomerate, heavily trimming its bloated divisions to create a highly focused, pure-play innovative medicines company.
Source - Vas Narasimhan2018–present
Chief Executive Officer
Narasimhan, a physician who previously led global drug development, became CEO on February 1, 2018.
Source - Giovanni Caforio2025–present
Chair of the Board
As a highly influential Board Member (and former BMS CEO), he brings unmatched global oncology expertise to Novartis's executive committee.
Source - Mukul Mehta2026–present
Chief Financial Officer
As CFO, he aggressively deploys massive amounts of capital toward high-risk, high-reward biotech acquisitions, ensuring Novartis maintains a dominant pipeline of blockbuster drugs.
Source
Novo Nordisk
- Lars Rebien Sørensen2000–2016
Chief Executive Officer
Serving as CEO from 2000 to 2016, he laid the absolutely critical, foundational R&D groundwork for GLP-1 agonists that would eventually lead to the massive global explosion of Ozempic and Wegovy.
Source - Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen2017–2025
Chief Executive Officer
CEO from January 2017 to August 2025. Oversaw the launches of Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy and large capacity investments, then was replaced by the board in 2025 after share losses to Eli Lilly and a cut to guidance.
Source - Maziar Mike Doustdar2025–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Became CEO on August 7, 2025, succeeding Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen. Joined Novo Nordisk in 1992 and previously ran International Operations, where sales more than doubled over a decade. First non-Danish CEO in the company's history.
Source - Lars Rebien Sørensen2025–present
Chair of the Board
Serving as CEO from 2000 to 2016, he laid the absolutely critical, foundational R&D groundwork for GLP-1 agonists that would eventually lead to the massive global explosion of Ozempic and Wegovy.
Source
Timeline: Novartis and Novo Nordisk side by side
1859Novartis
Founding of Ciba
Silk dyer Alexander Clavel began producing the synthetic dye fuchsine in Basel, Switzerland, marking the origin of Ciba, part of the Ciba-Geigy half of the Novartis merger.
1886Novartis
Founding of Sandoz
Alfred Kern and Edouard Sandoz founded the chemical company Kern & Sandoz in Basel, establishing the second half of the corporate lineage that would eventually merge to form Novartis.
1923Novo Nordisk
Founding of Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium
August Krogh and Hans Christian Hagedorn founded the Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium in Copenhagen, securing the licensing rights to produce insulin for the Scandinavian countries.
1925Novo Nordisk
Founding of Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium
Harald Pedersen and a group of Danish physicians founded Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium to produce insulin and other biological products using industrial-scale fermentation processes.
1989Novo Nordisk
Merger of Novo and Nordisk
The $1.5 billion merger of Novo Industri and Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium was completed, creating Novo Nordisk A/S as one of the world's largest insulin manufacturers.
1996Novartis
Merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz
Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz completed their merger in December 1996, a deal valued at roughly $27 billion, creating Novartis AG.
2005Novo Nordisk
Launch of Insulin detemir (Levemir)
Novo Nordisk launched Insulin detemir, a long-acting basal insulin analog with a flat action profile and reduced risk of hypoglycemia compared to NPH insulin.
2006Novartis
Acquisition of Chiron Corporation
Novartis acquired the US biotechnology company Chiron Corporation for $5.1 billion, significantly expanding its vaccine and oncology franchises.
2009Novo Nordisk
Launch of Victoza (liraglutide)
Novo Nordisk launched Victoza, the first once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist, marking the company's strategic pivot from insulin to incretin-based therapies.
2010Novartis
Acquisition of Alcon
Novartis completed the acquisition of the remaining stake in Alcon, the world's largest eye care company, for approximately $28 billion, creating a dominant position in ophthalmology.
2015Novartis
DOJ Settlement
Novartis paid $390 million to resolve US allegations that it gave kickbacks to specialty pharmacies to promote Exjade and Myfortic.
2017Novo Nordisk
Launch of Ozempic (semaglutide)
Novo Nordisk launched Ozempic, a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes, which became the fastest-growing diabetes drug in history.
2018Novartis
Vas Narasimhan Appointed CEO
Vas Narasimhan became CEO at age 41, one of the youngest leaders of a major pharmaceutical company, initiating a strategic review that would eventually lead to the Sandoz spin-off.
2021Novo Nordisk
Launch of Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4mg)
Novo Nordisk launched Wegovy, a high-dose formulation of semaglutide for chronic weight management, demonstrating an average weight loss of 14.9% in the STEP-1 trial.
2023Novartis
Acquisition of Chinook Therapeutics
Novartis acquired Chinook Therapeutics for $3.2 billion upfront plus $300 million in milestones, securing late-stage assets for rare kidney diseases.
2023Novartis
Spin-off of Sandoz
On October 4, 2023, Novartis completed the 100% spin-off of its Sandoz generics division, transforming into a pure-play innovative medicines company.
2023Novo Nordisk
SELECT Trial Results
Novo Nordisk announced the results of the SELECT trial, demonstrating a 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events for semaglutide 2.4mg in non-diabetic obese patients.
2024Novartis
Acquisition of MorphoSys
Novartis acquired German biotech MorphoSys for about EUR 2.7 billion ($2.9 billion), adding the investigational myelofibrosis drug pelabresib.
2024Novo Nordisk
Catalent Acquisition
Novo Holdings completed its $16.5 billion acquisition of Catalent in December 2024, and Novo Nordisk bought three Catalent fill-finish sites in Italy, Belgium and Indiana for $11 billion to expand Wegovy and Ozempic capacity.
2024Novo Nordisk
FY2024 Financial Results
Novo Nordisk reported FY2024 net sales of ~$44.1 billion (DKK 290.4 billion), up 25% in DKK, and net profit of ~$15.4 billion (DKK 101.0 billion).
2025Novartis
FY2025 Financial Results
Novartis reported FY2025 net sales of $54.5 billion, up 8%, with a core operating margin above 40% and free cash flow of $17.6 billion.
2025Novartis
Entresto Generic Entry
US generic versions of Entresto, Novartis's largest product, launched in 2025, starting the steepest patent cliff in the company's post-Sandoz history.
2025Novo Nordisk
CEO Change and Restructuring
Mike Doustdar replaced Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen as CEO on August 7, 2025, and in September the company announced about 9,000 job cuts. Lars Rebien Sørensen later became board chair after a dispute with the Novo Nordisk Foundation over board composition.
2026Novartis
Avidity Biosciences Acquisition Closes
On February 27, 2026, Novartis completed its roughly $12 billion acquisition of Avidity Biosciences, adding antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates for DM1, Duchenne and FSHD.
2026Novartis
HARBOR Phase 3 Miss
In September 2026, del-desiran missed the primary endpoint of the 159-patient Phase 3 HARBOR trial in myotonic dystrophy type 1, and NVS shares fell about 12.5% in pre-market trading.
2026Novo Nordisk
Wegovy Pill Launch
After FDA approval in December 2025, Novo launched the oral Wegovy pill in the US in January 2026; it passed 5 million prescriptions by August 2026 and received EU approval in July 2026.
2026Novo Nordisk
Capital Markets Day
On September 21, 2026 Novo set 2030 targets of mid-single-digit sales growth and more than five multi-blockbuster launches; the shares fell about 8%.
Acquisitions
Novartis
- Avidity Biosciences2026$12B
- MorphoSys AG2024$2.9B
- Chinook Therapeutics2023$3.5B
- The Medicines Company2020$9.7B
- Advanced Accelerator Applications2018$3.9B
- Chiron Corporation2006$5.1B
Novo Nordisk
- Akero Therapeutics2025$5.2B
- Three Catalent fill-finish sites2024$11B
- Dicerna Pharmaceuticals2021$3.3B
Questions about Novartis vs Novo Nordisk
Who is the CEO of Novartis AG and Novo Nordisk A/S?
Novartis AG is led by Vasant Narasimhan and Novo Nordisk A/S is led by Maziar Mike Doustdar. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Novartis AG founded vs Novo Nordisk A/S?
Novo Nordisk A/S was founded in 1989 — 7 years before Novartis AG, which was founded in 1996. Novo Nordisk A/S's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Novartis AG.
How many employees does Novartis AG have compared to Novo Nordisk A/S?
Novartis AG employs approximately 75,267 people, while Novo Nordisk A/S employs approximately 66,700. Novartis AG has the larger workforce at 75,267 employees, compared to Novo Nordisk A/S's 66,700. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Novartis AG and Novo Nordisk A/S headquartered?
Novartis AG is headquartered in Switzerland and Novo Nordisk A/S is headquartered in Denmark. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Novartis AG and Novo Nordisk A/S?
Novartis AG was founded by Daniel Vasella, Alex Krauer. Novo Nordisk A/S was founded by Hans Christian Hagedorn, Harald Pedersen.
Which company has a longer operating history — Novartis AG or Novo Nordisk A/S?
Novo Nordisk A/S has been operating for approximately 37 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Novartis AG has been in operation for around 30 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Novartis vs Novo Nordisk overview