Novo Nordisk Invests DKK 8.5 Billion to Build New Manufacturing Facility for Rare Disease Therapies in Denmark
With the DKK 8.5 billion (US$1.2 billion) investment, Novo Nordisk will build a new modular and flexible production facility in Odense, Denmark, to produce multiple products for rare diseases.
Sean K - stock.adobe.com
On Dec. 16, 2024, Novo Nordisk announced that it plans to invest DKK 8.5 billion (US$1.2 billion) to establish a new production facility in Odense, Denmark. The facility will accommodate multiple product types for treating rare diseases, such as hemophilia, both currently and in the future. This investment marks the first time Novo Nordisk has broken ground in Denmark in this century, the company stated in a press release.
The new site will include a state-of-the-art finished production facility and warehouse spanning more than 40,000 m2. The production facility will be designed to be modular and flexible to enable the manufacture of multiple rare disease-treating products.
"The facility will utilize advanced technology and innovative equipment to ensure the highest quality to patients and meet the growing global demand for our life-changing medicines,” said Henrik Wulff, executive vice-president, Product Supply, Quality & IT of Novo Nordisk, in the press release (1). “We are proud to build on our heritage in Denmark and look forward to embarking on this journey in Odense, a well-connected city with a dynamic community and talented workforce."
The new facility will be built with an eye toward preserving the nature in the area. More than 4000 new trees will be planted at the site, and buildings will be equipped with solar panels for enhancing on-site electricity generation. In addition, the landscape will be designed by reusing excess soil, wooden materials, and other sustainable resources to create lakes, forests, and community spaces that will be open to the public, the company stated in its release.
Construction work has begun, and completion is expected in 2027. More than 400 permanent jobs are expected to be created upon completion of the facilities, and up to 1000 external employees will be working on-site during construction.
Meanwhile, as of Dec. 14, 2024, all regulatory closing conditions related to the review of Novo Holdings’ pending acquisition of Catalent have been fulfilled, including expiry of the timing agreement in the United States, which means the parties are now free to close the transaction (2). With the close of the transaction, Novo Nordisk will fulfill its subsequent acquisition of three Catalent manufacturing sites from Novo Holdings, which Novo Nordisk originally announced in February 2024 (3). Novo Nordisk will also be acquiring Novavax’s manufacturing site in the Czech Republic, which was announced earlier in December 2024 (4).
References
1. Novo Nordisk. Nordisk Invests DKK 8.5 Billion in New Production Facility in Odense, Denmark. Press Release. Dec. 16, 2024.
2. Novo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk A/S: The Acquisition of Catalent by Novo Holdings, and the Related Acquisition by Novo Nordisk of Three Manufacturing Sites from Novo Holdings, is Cleared To Close. Press Release. Dec. 14, 2024.
3. Novo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk to Acquire Three Fill-Finish Sites from Novo Holdings A/S in Connection with the Catalent, Inc. Transaction. Press Release. Feb. 5, 2024.
4. Novavax. Novavax Announces Sale of Czech Republic Manufacturing Site to Novo Nordisk for $200 Million. Press Release. Dec. 4, 2024.
