Bioethics
The discovery and development of new pharmaceuticals entails careful attention to a range of ethical considerations. Novo Nordisk upholds high standards in the areas of human ethics (clinical trial ethics, stem cell ethics), animal ethics (the reduction, refinement and replacement of animal experiments) and the use of gene technology in research and production. The same high ethical standards also apply to external partners such as contract research organisations and suppliers. On several occasions, the Novo Nordisk has been the driver behind new bioethical standards that gain wider adoption in the industry.
While a commitment to being a responsible company is the primary driver of Novo Nordisk’s high bioethical standards, Novo Nordisk also take into account rising public expectations of greater accountability and transparency.
Although regulatory authorities monitor research to ensure it is conducted in accordance with relevant laws and universal principles, stakeholders also seek reassurance that companies consider any ethical concerns that may emerge. In particular, this is a matter of being respectful of the integrity of people participating in medical studies, animal welfare and culturally founded objections to certain types of research.
Performance 2007
In 2007, a new bioethics website was launched to provide a total overview of Novo Nordisk bioethical governance and performance, including video sequences of the experimental animals housed at Novo Nordisk. To provide a broader context of the bioethical issues a documentary was produced. In “Three Days: Searching for better treatment,” you are invited inside the daily life in R&D where bioethical challenges are an integral part of developing new pharmaceuticals.
Novo Nordisk has an ongoing awareness programme on bioethics for employees. In 2007 the programme includes a half-day symposium “Bioethics in a global perspective, ”mini seminars about the 3R’s of animal experimentation, and ethical review of animal experimentation and employee meetings where the new web site and film were launched , and articles in the internal employee magazine.
See Novo Nordisk's performance regarding:
Novo Nordisk’s approach
Novo Nordisk defines bioethics as all ethical issues related to the use of life science technologies for the development and production of biotechnological and pharmaceutical products. As a company committed to the Triple Bottom Line, a Bioethics Policy is included in the Novo Nordisk Way of Management – Novo Nordisk’s basic management principles. This policy, which provides operational guidelines within this area, is described below.
Novo Nordisk Bioethics Policy
In Novo Nordisk we will continuously improve our bioethical performance.
This means that we will:
- Promote bioethical awareness throughout the company
- Establish and ensure high ethical standards for:
o Experiments on live animals
o Clinical trials and use of human material
o Gene technology
o Our external partners, contract research organisations and suppliers, and monitor their performance - Engage in stakeholder dialogue and partnerships, and report on our performance
- Live up to the spirit, values, principles and content of relevant conventions, laws and requirements.
Environment & Bioethics Committee
The work in this field is governed by the Environment & Bioethics Committee, chaired by Lise Kingo, executive vice president and chief of staffs. The committee, which is mandated by the Executive Management group, includes Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief science officer. Corporate principles for the use of animals and for clinical studies are part of the internal management systems and communicated to Novo Nordisk employees as well as to research partners.
For more information, please visit Novo Nordisk new website on bioethics.
This page has been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers as part of its assurance of Novo Nordisk’s non-financial reporting. Please refer to Audit and assurance for a full description of the conclusions and the nature of assurance offered.
