Pharma 1 2026
In the first issue of Pharma this year, we focus on life in and around the Life Science industry – from leadership and careers to research and international perspectives.
Lars without Novo: “I will always be the guy who worked at Novo Nordisk”
A year ago, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen was dismissed as CEO of Novo Nordisk after 34 years with the company. We present a portrait of a farmer’s son and business leader who did not follow a fixed career plan, but embraced opportunities along the way.
“We often encounter diseases we have never heard of before”
Rare diseases affect thousands of people in Denmark, but they can be difficult to diagnose. Elsebet Østergaard works with patients whose diagnoses can be so rare that they have only been documented a handful of times worldwide.
Two international profiles – one shared experience of Denmark
Kazi Deluwar Ahmed from Bangladesh and Forough Hafezi from Iran came to Denmark to work in the Life Science industry. They highlight trust, flat hierarchies and a healthy work-life balance, but also the challenge of finding social communities. Two stories that offer a nuanced perspective on life as an international professional in Denmark.
Enjoy the read!
“I will always be the one who worked at Novo Nordisk”
A year ago, Lars Fruergaard was dismissed as CEO of Novo Nordisk – a company he had worked at for 34 years. This is a portrait of the farmer’s son who almost accidentally ended up in the Life Science industry, who values decency above all else, and who was applauded by his employees on the day it was time to say goodbye.
Ask is passionate about clinical research: “We are at a point where we have hopefully seen the bottom”
Clinical research is an anchor of the Danish healthcare system and the foundation for new treatments. Ask Aabenhus, who is a pharmacist by training, works to improve the conditions for clinical research in Denmark. According to Ask, Denmark has many strengths, but the country is also facing a number of challenges.
Can an influenza vaccine prolong insulin production in children with newly diagnosed diabetes?
This is the hypothesis being investigated by researchers from Steno Diabetes Center at Aarhus University Hospital in the INVITED study, which has previously been nominated for Denmark’s Best Clinical Trial Award. We follow up with this interview with PhD student Ida Borreby Pedersen, who is leading the study.
3 things I wish I had known as a new graduate
When Emma Engelbreth was finally able to add “graduate” to her CV in the summer of 2025, she expected the next step to be straightforward. A little celebration, a little holiday, and then a job. But things did not go as planned. There was certainly celebration and a holiday, but the job did not arrive straight away. Instead, it marked the beginning of six months filled with uncertainty and rejection. It also inspired Emma to reflect on the three pieces of advice she wishes someone had given her.
“It definitely takes longer to build friendships in Denmark”
Iranian-born Forough Hafezi has lived and worked in Denmark for five years, and last year she was granted permanent residency. Forough loves the Danish work-life balance and has settled well into her new everyday life – even though getting close to the Danes has required quite an effort.
“Our family would love to stay in Denmark”
Kazi Deluwar Ahmed, originally from Bangladesh, has spent the past three and a half years working at Leo Pharma’s headquarters in Ballerup. Although it has taken time to understand the Danes and Danish culture, his encounter with Denmark has been a happy adventure for both Kazi and his family.
Inge dreamed of adventure and became Greenland’s first chief pharmacist
Inge Mortensen, a trained pharmacist, has always had a strong urge to explore. In the 1990s, she joined a dog sled expedition in Greenland. That trip marked the beginning of an entirely new life in the far north, where Inge lived and worked for 25 years.
“It has made me stand by my ambitions”
Big dreams and inspiring life experiences have been the theme of the mentoring journey between Efstathios Vassiliadis and Jasmin Farshchi. The pair have discussed career paths and personal goals – and how to listen to your own ambitions.
Marlene lost her job at Novo: “At Pharmadanmark, I have never felt like just another member”
Last autumn, Novo Nordisk said goodbye to thousands of employees – Marlene Lottrup was one of them. She received support from Pharmadanmark to handle the situation, and today she has secured a new job.
Désirée went into action mode when layoffs hit Novo Nordisk
Désirée Asgreen was right at the centre of the mass layoffs at Novo Nordisk last autumn. As chair of the employee club LASA, she spent months using almost every waking hour helping her colleagues through a turbulent time.
“We often encounter diseases we have never heard of before”
Rare diseases are the theme of the next Life Science Talks, which is Pharmadanmark’s own conference, held twice a year. And the field is far from rare for speaker Elsebet Østergaard. She is a medical doctor and professor specializing in clinical genetics. Every day, she meets patients living with a rare disease, and it is not uncommon for her to encounter diagnoses she has never seen before.