| Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 27, 1960 |
| Citizenship | Danish |
| Education | DVM, PhD and DSc |
| Employer | Novo Nordisk Foundation |
| Title | CEO of Novo Nordisk Foundation |
| Board member of | Technical University of Denmark (DTU), University of Copenhagen |
| Honours | 2022: Knight of Order of the Dannebrog 2024: Golden Plate Award by The American Academy of Achievement |
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen (born December 27, 1960) is a Danish businessman, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation and former Executive Vice President of Research & Development, head of R&D and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.
Education and background
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen went to boarding school in Epsom, Surrey in Great Britain from 1967 to 1971. He graduated from high school from Rungsted Statsskole in 1979. He holds a master's degree from The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in 1986, now part of the University of Copenhagen. According to Krogsgaard Thomsen himself, he originally wanted to be a practicing veterinarian, and was inspired by the British television series All Creatures Great And Small. At the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, however, he started to take an interest in pursuing a career in either science or the pharmaceutical industry. He finished his PhD. from the same university in 1989 and obtained the DSc. (Doctor of Science) degree within the pharmacology of experimental therapeutics in 1991.
Career
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen worked as a pharmacologist at Leo Pharmaceutical Products from 1989 to 1991 and was thereafter employed by Novo Nordisk in as head of Growth Hormone Research. He became Senior Vice President for Diabetes R&D in 1994 and was appointed Senior Vice President of Health Care Discovery in 1995.
In November 2000, he was appointed executive vice president of Global R&D and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). As Chief Scientific Officer, he was responsible for the research and development of 20 medicine products within diabetes, obesity and biopharmaceuticals. He led the development of GLP-1 therapies that today are among the leading treatments within type 2 diabetes and obesity. He left the position as Executive Vice President of R&D on February 28 in 2021 and took the role as CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation on March 1, 2021.
He has been the president of the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences and has been on the board of directors at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and University of Copenhagen. From 2017 to 2020, Thomsen was the chairman of the board of directors at University of Copenhagen. Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen received the royal decoration of Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog by the Danish Royal House on 12 December, 2022.
In 2024, Thomsen received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement, presented by Awards Council member Robert S. Langer.
Novo Nordisk
Thomsen joined Novo Nordisk in 1991 as the Head of Growth Hormone Research. In 1994, he was appointed Senior Vice President of Diabetes Research & Development. In November 2000, he became Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, overseeing global operations related to drug and device research, Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC), global development, medical affairs, regulatory affairs, and safety. During his tenure, more than 20 pharmaceutical products were developed and approved.
Development of GLP-1-Based Therapies
During his tenure as Chief Scientific Officer at Novo Nordisk, Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen played a significant role in the development of GLP-1-based therapies, including Ozempic and Wegovy. In the early 1990s, despite skepticism from company leadership regarding the potential of obesity treatments, Thomsen advocated for focusing on obesity as a significant health issue. This strategic direction led to the development of Ozempic, approved for Type 2 diabetes treatment in 2017, and Wegovy, approved for weight loss in 2021. Both medications are based on semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist designed to regulate blood sugar levels and appetite.
Novo Nordisk Foundation
On March 1, 2021, Thomsen was appointed CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, a philanthropic organization that funds research in health, life sciences, and sustainability.
Academic and Scientific Contributions
Thomsen has been an adjunct professor at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University (now the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen) since 2000. He has also served on the editorial boards of various international peer-reviewed journals and has published extensively in the fields of pharmacology, immunology, endocrinology, and haemostasis.
Awards and Recognition
Thomsen has been recognized for his contributions to pharmaceutical research and development. His work has supported advancements in drug discovery and innovation in medical science.
- Golden Plate Award (2024) - Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement, presented by Awards Council member Robert S. Langer.
- Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog: On December 12, 2022, he was appointed as a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog by the Danish Royal House
Positions of employment
- 1982-1985 Instructor and assistant. Associate Professor, University of Copenhagen
- 1986-1987 Clinical Department Ph.D. scholarship, University of Copenhagen
- 1987-1988 Department of Pharmacology Ph.D. scholarship, University of Copenhagen
- 1988 - 1991 Pharmacologist at LEO Pharma
- 1991 - 2000 Management positions at Novo Nordisk, from 1994 as Research Director
- 1991 – 1993 Head of Growth Hormone Pharmacology, Biopharmaceuticals Division, Novo Nordisk
- 1993 – 1994 Director of Pharmacology, Diabetes Care Division, Novo Nordisk
- 1994 – 1995 Senior Vice President of Diabetes Research & Development, Diabetes Care Division, Novo Nordisk
- 1995 – 1998 Corporate Vice President of Drug Discovery, Novo Nordisk
- 1998 – 2000 Corporate Vice President of Drug Discovery and Preclinical Development, Novo Nordisk
- 2000 – 2021 Group Vice President of Research and Development, Novo Nordisk
- 2000 – Adjunct Professor of Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen
- 2021 - CEO, Novo Nordisk Foundation
Board positions
Thomsen has held several leadership and advisory positions in academia and industry. Additionally, he has served as Chairman of the Danish Biotech Research and Innovation Centre and has participated in governmental committees related to post-graduate education reforms in Denmark.
- 2000 – 2008 Member of the Board of the Technical University of Denmark.
- 2000 – 2003 Member of the Academy of Technical Sciences, Denmark
- 2003 – 2004 President of the Academy fo Technical Sciences, Denmark
- 2006 – 2012 Member of the Board of Cellartis AB, Sweden
- 2012 – 2019 Member of the Board of the University of Copenhagen (from 2017 - 2020 Chairman)
- 2014 - 2016 Chairman of the Board, Steno Diabetes Center, Denmark
- 2018 - 2019 Board Member, Symphogen A/S, Denmark
- 2020 - Member of the Board of BB Biotech AG, Switzerland
Personal life
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen is married to Ulla. Mads has three children from previous marriages.
References
- ^ Mostrup, Christian (February 3, 2021). "Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen appointed as new CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation". Novo Nordisk Fonden.
- Heimer, Hakon (February 24, 2021). "Leadership Change at Novo Nordisk Foundation | Nordic Society for Precision Medicine". nshg-pm.org. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
- "New CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation". european-biotechnology.com. February 24, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
- ^ "Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen". sciencenews.dk (in Danish). Retrieved May 27, 2021.
- Friis, Rasmus (March 3, 2022). "Det hele faldt på plads for Mads Krogsgaard på andet semester". Uniavisen. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
- ^ Support, Administration and Research (May 30, 2024). "Speakers". cbmr.ku.dk. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
- ^ "Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen - Agenda Contributor". World Economic Forum. Archived from the original on December 23, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
- (Danish) - Overview of recipients of Danish decorations: https://www.kongehuset.dk/monarkiet-i-danmark/ordener-og-medaljer/modtagere-af-danske-dekorationer/#oversigt-over-modtagere-af-danske-dekorationer
- ^ "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement". achievement.org. American Academy of Achievement.
- Adams, Ben (February 3, 2021). "Novo Nordisk's long-term chief scientific officer Thomsen retires, becomes its foundation chief | Fierce Biotech". www.fiercebiotech.com. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
- ^ News, Science. "Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen". Science News. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - "Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen - CEO at Novo Nordisk Foundation". THE ORG. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
- ^ "Our management". Novo Nordisk Fonden. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
- Wertheim, Jon; Chasan, Aliza; Gavshon, Michael; Roberts, Nadim (November 3, 2024). "Scientist behind Ozempic started her career developing laundry detergent | 60 Minutes - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
- Support, Administration and Research (May 30, 2024). "Speakers". cbmr.ku.dk. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
- "Leadership Change at Novo Nordisk Foundation | Nordic Society for Precision Medicine". nshg-pm.org. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
- Mortensen, Thomas Mikkel (October 5, 2019). "Efter ti års fejlslagen forskning fik Mads en dristig idé: Nu har Novo ramt en guldåre". Berlingske.dk (in Danish). Retrieved May 27, 2021.