With the purpose of boosting innovation and building a broader presence within biopharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk has set up two new research units – one devoted to diabetes and one to biopharmaceuticals.

The new Biopharmaceuticals Research Unit is charged with expanding Novo Nordisk’s presence within management of critical bleedings, including NovoSeven (recombinant coagulation factor VIIa) and a number of other haemostasis projects. Furthermore, the unit will exploit the full potential of Novo Nordisk’s early-stage biopharmaceuticals projects, and identify new drug targets and projects.

The Diabetes Research Unit encompasses Novo Nordisk’s global research portfolio within diabetes drugs and delivery systems. In addition, a new unit, Preclinical and CMC (Chemistry Manufacturing Control) Supply, is established to support a flexible transfer of projects from research to development to manufacturing.

“The establishment of a dedicated biopharmaceuticals research unit reflects our success in creating a new portfolio of biopharmaceuticals projects within cancer and inflammation since we launched our new research strategy two years ago,” says Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, chief science officer.

In May, in another move to strengthen its research within biopharmaceuticals Novo Nordisk announced plans to establish a first-of-its-kind haemostasis research centre in North Brunswick, New Jersey. Scheduled to open later this year, the 30,000 square foot facility represents a major expansion of Novo Nordisk’s research in the area of haemostasis.