The runaway success of diabetes and weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy have turned their maker, Novo Nordisk, into a juggernaut. Last year the Danish drugmaker claimed the title of Europe’s most valuable company. But the development of these drugs was a long, uphill battle.The FT’s global pharmaceutical editor Hannah Kuchler explains how the company’s unique ownership structure played a critical role in the company’s achievements and looks at the challenges ahead.

Clips from CNBC, CBS, Reuters

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Subscribe and listen to Untold: The Retreat on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

For further reading:

FT Person of the Year: Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen of Novo Nordisk

How anti-obesity drugs built the world’s largest charitable foundation

Obesity drugs: broadly good for investors, with some strictures

Covid-19 vaccine winners suffer reversal of fortune

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On X, follow Hannah Kuchler (@hannahkuchler) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07), or follow Michela on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ozempic’s unconventional origins

The Story of Money