Novo Nordisk Announces Two R&D Leadership Changes

Novo Nordisk has announced a reshuffle in its research team, with former Bayer executive Andrea Haegebarth set to join as Senior Vice President of Global Research, replacing Jacob Petersen, who will become Head of R&D External Innovation.

The changes, effective from 1 October 2026, will support the Danish pharmaceutical giant’s efforts to bolster its research programmes and improve engagement with the global scientific community and innovation leaders.

Discussing the appointments on LinkedIn, Martin Holst Lange, Executive Vice President of R&D and Chief Scientific Officer at Novo Nordisk, writes that Andrea and Jacob’s “roles are highly complementary – strengthening our research further and connecting us with the best science across the community to deliver meaningful innovation.”

Novo Nordisk is strengthening its R&D pipeline across obesity, diabetes and related chronic conditions, building on its expertise in incretin biology. Key programmes include CagriSema and a range of next-generation GLP-1 therapies, alongside research into cardiovascular disease and rare disorders. 

The company is also using AI and digital technologies to accelerate drug development and decision-making, including through the establishment of an “AI co-innovation hub” in London with Amazon Web Services, which was announced in August 2026.

A Bayer veteran

Andrea joins Novo Nordisk to lead its Global Research department, having spent nearly two decades at German pharmaceutical firm Bayer.

The company manufactures some of the world’s best-known pharmaceutical and consumer health products, including Aspirin, Berocca, Rennies and Xarelto.

Andrea began her career at Bayer as a Research Scientist in its Oncology division and has since held a range of roles across the company’s R&D organisation, spanning product commercialisation, R&D strategy and oncology. 

Most recently, she held the position of Global Head of Research & Early Development Precision Medicine, where she was responsible for building Bayer’s portfolio across precision cardiovascular and nephrology, spanning both chronic and acute care, while supporting activities in immunology.

At Novo Nordisk, Andrea’s role will focus strongly on drug discovery for serious chronic diseases.

Andrea writes on LinkedIn: “I am particularly excited to bring my experience across cardiovascular, renal and immunology research to help build on Novo Nordisk’s strong scientific foundation, expand our impact in related disease areas, and advance innovations that address important unmet needs for patients.

“For me, the opportunity is about more than building a strong research pipeline. It is about building a pipeline of possibilities for patients - new approaches, new treatments and, ultimately, new hope for people and families affected by chronic disease.”

An internal reshuffle

Jacob’s appointment represents an internal move within Novo Nordisk’s R&D operation. 

As Head of R&D External Innovation, he will lead efforts to identify and harness scientific advances, ideas and capabilities from across the scientific community.

Jacob has worked across a range of departments at Novo Nordisk during his more than 25 years at the company, including metabolic diseases, cell therapy, nucleic acid therapies, diabetes and obesity.

Discussing his new position on LinkedIn, Jacob writes, “External innovation is not only about looking outside our walls. It is about staying open, humble and curious. It is about learning from the global scientific community, building trusted relationships, and bringing together the very best ideas, technologies and capabilities, wherever they originate, to help create medicines that can make a meaningful difference for patients.

“We have an opportunity to further strengthen how Novo Nordisk identifies, builds and advances external collaborations across R&D and to ensure that great science, wherever it begins, has the best possible chance of reaching the people who need it.”

Key Novo Nordisk partners

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

CEO: Matt Garman | HQ: Seattle, Washington

In August 2026, Novo Nordisk and AWS announced a strategic partnership to accelerate AI-powered drug discovery. The collaboration will use AWS cloud infrastructure and AI capabilities alongside Novo Nordisk’s scientific expertise, data and research platforms, aiming to improve the speed and scale of discovering and developing new medicines.

Aspect Biosystems

CEO: Tamer Mohamed | HQ: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Novo Nordisk and Aspect are developing advanced cellular medicines for diabetes, using Aspect’s 3D bioprinting technology and Novo Nordisk’s cell-therapy expertise. In 2026, the partnership entered a new phase, with Aspect taking responsibility for development, manufacturing and commercialisation while gaining access to selected Novo Nordisk technologies.

Vivtex

CEO: Thomas von Erlach | HQ: Boston, Massachusetts

Novo Nordisk partnered with Vivtex in 2026 to develop next-generation oral biologic medicines for obesity, diabetes and related conditions. Vivtex will license its proprietary oral drug-delivery technologies, designed to improve the absorption of peptides and proteins. The deal could be worth up to US$2.1bn, with Novo Nordisk leading global development and commercialisation.