Novo Nordisk vs Pfizer: Founders, CEOs and History
Novo Nordisk was founded in 1989 by Hans Christian Hagedorn, Harald Pedersen and is led by Maziar Mike Doustdar. Pfizer was founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer, Charles Erhart and is led by Albert Bourla.
Company facts
Novo Nordisk
- Founded
- 1989
- Headquarters
- Bagsvaerd, Denmark
- Current CEO
- Maziar Mike Doustdar
- Employees
- 66,700
Pfizer
- Founded
- 1849
- Headquarters
- New York, New York
- Current CEO
- Albert Bourla
- Employees
- 75,000
Founders
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.
Pfizer
Charles Pfizer
Pfizer possesses a historic, immigrant founding story, rooted entirely in the rapid industrial expansion of 19th-century Brooklyn and defined by an effective, intensely meticulous German chemist and his ambitious confectioner cousin.
Charles Erhart
Charles Erhart's role in Pfizer's founding is less celebrated than his cousin's, partly because the company carries Charles Pfizer's name and partly because his commercial contributions were less visible than the scientific achievements that drove the company'…
CEOs and their tenures
Novo Nordisk
- Lars Rebien Sørensen2000–2016
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Novo Nordisk A/S from 2000 to 2016.
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
Former CEO and chair of the Novo Nordisk Foundation who returned to lead the board and oversee the turnaround and CEO succession planning.
Source
Pfizer
- Ian Read2010–2018
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Pfizer from 2010 until December 31, 2018; Albert Bourla succeeded him as CEO on January 1, 2019.
Source - Albert Bourla2019–present
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
A veterinarian by training who joined Pfizer Animal Health in 1993, Bourla became CEO on January 1, 2019 and Chairman in 2020.
Source - Dave Denton2022–2026
Chief Financial Officer
Former CVS Health CFO who ran Pfizer finance through the Seagen financing and cost program, leaving on August 15, 2026 for a consumer goods company.
Source - Chris Boshoff2025–present
Chief Scientific Officer and President, Research & Development
Former Chief Oncology Officer who took over all of Pfizer R&D effective January 1, 2025.
Source - Cecile Guegan2026–present
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Previously senior vice president of finance for Pfizer's global biopharmaceuticals business; became interim CFO after Dave Denton left on August 15, 2026.
Source
Timeline: Novo Nordisk and Pfizer side by side
1849Pfizer
Pfizer Founded
Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart founded the company in Brooklyn.
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.
1944Pfizer
Penicillin Scale-Up
Pfizer helped industrialize penicillin production during World War II.
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.
2000Pfizer
Warner-Lambert Deal
Pfizer acquired Warner-Lambert, adding Lipitor.
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.
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.
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.
2020Pfizer
BioNTech COVID Vaccine Partnership
Pfizer and BioNTech brought Comirnaty through emergency authorization.
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.
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.
2023Pfizer
Seagen Acquisition
Pfizer completed the $43 billion Seagen acquisition.
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).
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.
2025Pfizer
Chris Boshoff Becomes CSO
Chris Boshoff became Chief Scientific Officer and President, Research & Development effective January 1, 2025.
2025Pfizer
Metsera Acquisition
Pfizer completed its acquisition of obesity drug developer Metsera in November 2025 for up to about $10 billion including CVRs.
2025Pfizer
FY2025 Revenue Base
Pfizer reported $62.579 billion of FY2025 revenue.
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%.
2026Pfizer
Innovent Oncology Collaboration
Pfizer signed a 12-program cancer collaboration with Innovent Biologics: $650 million upfront and up to $9.85 billion in milestones.
Acquisitions
Novo Nordisk
- Akero Therapeutics2025$5.2B
- Three Catalent fill-finish sites2024$11B
- Dicerna Pharmaceuticals2021$3.3B
Pfizer
- Metsera, Inc.2025$7B
- Seagen Inc.2023$43B
- Medivation Inc.2016$14B
- Wyeth2009$68B
- Pharmacia Corporation2003$60B
- Warner-Lambert Company2000$111B
Questions about Novo Nordisk vs Pfizer
Who is the CEO of Novo Nordisk A/S and Pfizer Inc.?
Novo Nordisk A/S is led by Maziar Mike Doustdar and Pfizer Inc. is led by Albert Bourla. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Novo Nordisk A/S founded vs Pfizer Inc.?
Pfizer Inc. was founded in 1849 — 140 years before Novo Nordisk A/S, which was founded in 1989. Pfizer Inc.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Novo Nordisk A/S.
How many employees does Novo Nordisk A/S have compared to Pfizer Inc.?
Novo Nordisk A/S employs approximately 66,700 people, while Pfizer Inc. employs approximately 75,000. Pfizer Inc. has the larger workforce at 75,000 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 Novo Nordisk A/S and Pfizer Inc. headquartered?
Novo Nordisk A/S is headquartered in Denmark and Pfizer Inc. is headquartered in United States. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Novo Nordisk A/S and Pfizer Inc.?
Novo Nordisk A/S was founded by Hans Christian Hagedorn, Harald Pedersen. Pfizer Inc. was founded by Charles Pfizer, Charles Erhart.
Which company has a longer operating history — Novo Nordisk A/S or Pfizer Inc.?
Pfizer Inc. has been operating for approximately 177 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Novo Nordisk A/S has been in operation for around 37 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 Novo Nordisk vs Pfizer overview