Novo Nordisk Recruits Ex-CEO to Help Pick New Boss

Novo Nordisk (NVO) isn’t just changing CEOs — it’s pulling a seasoned heavyweight back into the ring to help decide who comes next. Former chief Lars Rebien Sørensen, who led the pharma giant from 2000 to 2016, has officially returned as a board observer. His job? Guide the company through one of its most sensitive leadership transitions in years.

Novo isn’t dusting off a legacy name for nostalgia points. It’s tapping a heavyweight insider with two decades of battlefield experience to steady the ship and influence one of its most important succession calls yet.

CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen Steps Down as Competition Mounts

After eight years at the helm, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen is stepping down. The move follows what’s described as a mutual agreement with the board — but the timing is key. Novo has been under pressure in the U.S. market, with its flagship obesity drug Wegovy facing stiff competition from Eli Lilly’s Zepbound.

The leadership change comes just as Novo is trying to hold its ground in one of the most profitable corners of pharma — and fend off rising rivals.

Novo Nordisk Brings Back Its Old Guard to Guide the Search

Rebien Sørensen isn’t coming back to run the show — but he’s been given a front-row seat. As a board observer, he’ll be advising on the selection of the next CEO, a move that signals the board isn’t leaving anything to chance. Internally, there’s talk of possibly going outside the company for the first time ever — a radical shift for a firm that’s historically groomed leaders from within.

No Strategic Shift — Yet

The board says the company’s strategy remains unchanged, but reading between the lines, this is clearly a moment of recalibration. Novo is still in pole position in the global obesity drug market — but for how long depends heavily on who takes the wheel next.

No new CEO has been named. No clear front-runner yet. But with the company’s future growth trajectory on the line, Novo knows it can’t afford to mess this up.

Is Novo Nordisk a Buy Right Now?

Wall Street’s current stance on Novo Nordisk (NVO) is neutral — but not without upside. Based on insights from nine analysts over the past three months, NVO stock holds a consensus rating of Hold. Out of those, three analysts recommend a Buy, five say Hold, and one is calling Sell.

Despite the mixed sentiment, analysts are pricing in room for recovery. The average 12-month NVO price target sits at $92.38, which suggests a 35.45% upside from the current trading price of $68.20. Forecasts range widely — from a high of $138.30 to a low-end target of $61.00.

In short: analysts aren’t screaming Buy. But they’re definitely not out on Novo either. The leadership shake-up might just be the spark that resets sentiment — or stalls it.

See more NVO analyst ratings