Harnessing the power of the Novo Holdings network

The insights gained from the Novo Holdings Life Science Network makes the company’s decision making more agile and strongly positions us to generate attractive long-term returns. The network also benefits Novo Holdings’ portfolio and is core to our engaged ownership investment approach. Novo Holdings enables its portfolio companies to reach their strategic ambitions and often connects those portfolio companies to experts and peers from its network, who can provide strategic advice that facilitates knowledge-sharing and the cross-fertilisation of innovative ideas.

Life Science CEO Summit: Navigating industry trends and fostering collaboration

In October, Novo Holdings brought together over 200 leading executives from across its life sciences network for the second Life Science CEO Summit to share their insights on industry trends and explore innovative solutions to common challenges.

Senior colleagues from across the Novo Group, including Novo Nordisk’s CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, and Novonesis’s CEO Ester Baiget, spoke with chief executives from Novo Holdings’ portfolio companies, senior members of its network and industry leaders about the impact of dynamic global markets, climate change and AI on the industry. Sessions also focused on new trends in clinical trials, regulation and biopharma M&A.

In a follow up survey, three quarters of the participants said that the networking opportunities were the highlight of the event. Almost 80% of the participants said the programme was highly relevant to their field of interest or expertise, and 95% said they were likely to apply the knowledge and connections gained at the Summit to their own work or research.

“We are pleased with the positive feedback from the Life Science CEO Summit. It is clear that we have created a strong platform for our network to come together, share insights, and foster meaningful collaborations that drive innovation and growth in the life sciences industry,” said Kasim Kutay, Novo Holdings’ CEO, following the event.

Forging new partnerships in South Korea

In April, Novo Holdings held its second Partnering Day in Seoul, South Korea. Co-hosted with Novo Nordisk and the Korean Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), the two-day event was attended by over 200 investors, biotech and biopharma companies, researchers and representatives from the Ministry of Health. The event showcased the strengths of the Korean biopharma ecosystem by highlighting groundbreaking innovation in the region and exploring how to mature assets into novel therapy approaches for patients.

The programme started with a symposium on redefining cardiometabolic disease treatment and management, which included a pitch event for start-up companies. On the second day, experts from the Novo Group facilitated a Business Development training session, including one-to-one partner meetings.

Amit Kakar, Managing Partner and Head of Asia Investments remarked: “Over the past four years, Novo Holdings has built a dynamic healthcare and life sciences network in Asia which includes collaborations with industry, investors, and stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. These partnerships underscore the value of connecting local innovation with global expertise to advance our mission of investing for the benefit of people and the planet.”

Cultivating the next generation of leaders

Networking is especially important for companies at the start-up stage – spontaneous conversations can lead to valuable insights and even the creation of new companies and opportunities.

In September, Novo Holdings hosted its annual Seed Summit in Copenhagen. Focused on Cardiometabolic Diseases & Platform Companies, with chief executives from Seed Investments portfolio companies, as well as executives from across the pharmaceutical and Venture Capital industries in attendance.

Seed Investments Managing Partner Søren Møller, SVP Global Drug Discovery at Novo Nordisk Karin Conde-Knape, and several portfolio companies made presentations reflecting on topics including how to build sustainable CMD-focused biotech companies and CMD R&D and licensing.