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Company type | Private limited company |
---|---|
Industry | Life Sciences Asset management |
Founded | 1999 |
Headquarters | , |
Key people | Kasim Kutay (CEO) Lars Rebien Sørensen (Chairman) |
Services | Investments in Life Science |
Total assets | DKK 1,114 billion (2023) Approx. $163 billion (2023) |
Subsidiaries | Novo Nordisk A/S Novozymes A/S |
Website | www |
Novo Holdings A/S (formerly Novo A/S) [1] is the Novo Nordisk Foundation's wholly owned holding company for Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S. Novo Holdings A/S was established in 1999 and manages the Novo Nordisk Foundation's assets, which in 2023 was worth almost DKK 1,114 billion. [2] [3] [4] Danish Kroner (approximately US$163 billion) and is the largest charitable foundation in the world making Novo Holdings A/S a world-leading life sciences investor. [5] Novo Holdings A/S is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, with offices in San Francisco, Boston and Singapore.
Eivind Kolding succeeded Henrik Gürtler as CEO on 1 May 2014. [6] Eivind Kolding left Novo Holdings A/S in March 2016 and Kasim Kutay took over as CEO for the organisation. [7]
Novo Holdings A/S manages the Novo Nordisk Foundation's assets, aiming to enable and make a positive impact on health, science and society by generating long-term returns on the assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, which the Novo Nordisk Foundation in return can award as grants for scientific research and humanitarian and social purposes. [8] [9] [10]
The overall purpose of Novo Holdings A/S is to hold the position as the controlling majority shareholder of the Novo Group companies (Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S), aiming at making a positive impact on health, science and society by generating long-term returns on the assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. [11] The Novo Nordisk Foundation is an enterprise foundation which is a self-governing entity with no owners, focusing on long-term ownership of the Novo Group (Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S) while combining business and philanthropy within scientific, humanitarian and social purposes. A key task of Novo Holdings A/S is to act as a stable basis for the commercial activities of Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S. Novo Holdings A/S also invests in both financial assets and in companies with application-oriented research in the life sciences.
Novo Holdings A/S' objective is to grow the assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. In addition to investing in equity and fixed income securities, Novo Holdings pursues direct investments in life science companies. [9] The Novo Nordisk Foundations share of financial returns generated from investments are added to the Novo Nordisk Foundation endowment and later distributed through charitable grants and awards aiming to improve the lives of people, science and society around the world. [9]
Novo Holdings A/S is recognised as a leading international life science investor focusing on creating long-term value. [8] Besides from being the controlling shareholder in the Novo Group companies (including Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S), [12] Novo Holdings also provides seed and venture capital to companies in the development-stage. [10]
Novo Holdings also takes on significant ownership in growth and well-established companies and manages a broad portfolio of diversified financial assets. [10] [12]
In 2021–2022, Novo Holdings have announced an increased investment focusing on Biosolutions (also known under the term bioindustrials or biotechnologies within the healthcare and environmental spaces), aiming to make biotechnology a spearhead for the green transition. [13] Novo Holdings claim that the ambition is "to help remove the roadblocks wherever they are, paving the way for promising biologic discoveries to become new solutions". [13]
In 2021, Novo Holdings added numerous biotechnology companies to its portfolio, including 21st. BIO, which helps other biotechnology companies scale up production through an advanced technology platform. [14]
These diverse investments include companies supplying climate-neutral cement, biopesticides, synthetic silk biopolymers and many other products and solutions that challenge current conventions. Novo Holdings added eight bioindustrial companies to its portfolio in 2021 and invested approx. €98 million ($97.35 million) in total in the bioindustrial space. [14]
In 2021, the Novo Holdings portfolio focusing on Life Science Investment (Novo Seeds, Novo Growth, Novo Ventures and Novo Principal Investments [15] ) made up 52% of the total portfolio [10] while the Novo Capital Investors made up the remaining 48% of the total portfolio. [10] The Life Science Investment portfolio and Novo Capital Investors generated returns of approximately DKK 12 billion ($1.6 billion) in 2021. [16] [10]
The Novo Group comprises Novo Holdings A/S, Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S. Novo Holdings A/S owns more than 25% of the ordinary share capital of Novo Nordisk A/S and controls more than 70% of the votes through its ownership of all the preferred (A) shares, which are not traded.
The Group's main purpose is to manage the financial assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation to ensure an adequate financial return to cover the Foundation's investments and grants for scientific, humanitarian and social purposes and projects in the Nordic countries and the rest of the world. The Group achieves this by investing in life science companies in Europe and North America. The Novo Group also invests in a portfolio of financial assets. [22]
In 2014, Henrik Gürtler stepped down as CEO after serving in the position since the company was established in 1999. He was replaced by Eivind Kolding, previously the CEO of Danske Bank. [23] On 29 February 2016, Eivind Kolding was dismissed as CEO of Novo A/S after 2 years in the post. He was temporarily replaced until June 2016 by Sten Scheibye, Chair of the Board of Directors. His successor as CEO of Novo Holdings A/S is Kasim Kutay, [24] a British citizen who previously worked for investment banks Morgan Stanley and Moelis & Company.
The Board of Directors of Novo Holdings A/S comprises six members (as of December 2018): [25] [26] [27]
In February 2018, Novo Holdings announces the establishment of an impact fund commissioned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation with a total initial budget of US$165 million to invest in companies involved in discovering and early-stage development of therapies to combat antimicrobial resistance. [28]
According to CEO Kasim Kutay, Novo Holdings are looking to increase this type of investments in global healthcare challenges: “We are looking to increase investments of this type in the coming years, and we are excited about our potential to make a significant difference in improving global healthcare”. [29]
REPAIR is an acronym for: Replenishing and Enabling the Pipeline for Anti-Infective Resistance. [30]
In addition to the Novo Group, Novo Holdings A/S owns major stakes in several Danish companies, including the Xellia Group, Sonion and Chr. Hansen Holdings A/S. By the beginning of 2018 Novo Holdings A/S had a portfolio of 85 listed and unlisted Life Science companies in Europe and North America.
Novo Holdings A/S invests mainly in companies that develop, manufacture or sell medicine, new treatment methods or medical or health-related equipment. [31]
At the end of 2017, Novo Holdings A/S had allocated nearly DKK 38 billion for investment in portfolios in Large Investments, Ventures and Seeds of DKK 31.5 billion, DKK 5.9 billion and DKK 291 million, respectively. [32]
List of all investments [39]
Company | Date | Investment area | Region | Status |
HPNow | Sep 2023 | Europe | Active | |
Glentra | Sep 2023 | Capital Investments | Europe | Active |
Ellab | Jun 2023 | Europe | Active | |
Octave | Jun 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Active |
Commit Biologics | May 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Ray Therapeutics | May 2023 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
Alentis Therapeutics | Apr 2023 | Novo Ventures | Europe | Active |
FIRE1 | Mar 2023 | Novo Ventures | Europe | Active |
Aquafortus | Feb 2023 | Novo Growth | Active | |
Hemab Therapeutics | Feb 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
LePure | Jan 2023 | Asia | Active | |
ZhenGe Biotech | Jan 2023 | Asia | Active | |
Evosep | Jan 2023 | Novo Growth | Active | |
iECURE | Dec 2023 | Novo Ventures | Active | |
Breye Therapeutics | Nov 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
KabaFusion | Nov 2023 | Principal Investments | Eastern USA | Active |
MedGenome | Aug 2023 | Asia | Active | |
Riva Therapeutics | Jun 2023 | Novo Ventures | North America | Active |
Deep 6 AI | May 2022 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
Elo Life Systems | May 2022 | Active | ||
Invetx | May 2022 | Novo Growth | Eastern USA | Active |
Nuvig Therapeutics | May 2022 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
Engimmune Therapeutics | May 2022 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Qure.ai | Mar 2023 | Asia | Active | |
Metagenomi | Feb 2023 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
Rondo Therapeutics | Feb 2023 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
Verana Health | Jan 2023 | Novo Growth | Western USA | Active |
Medical Knowledge Group | Jan 2023 | Principal Investments | Eastern USA | Active |
Ritedose | Jan 2023 | Principal Investments | Eastern USA | Active |
21st.BIO | Dec 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Clever Care Health Plan | Nov 2023 | Novo Ventures | North America | Active |
Asgard Therapeutics | Nov 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Jernbanebyen | Oct 2021 | Novo Capital Investors | Europe | Active |
BIOMILQ | Oct 2021 | Novo Growth | Eastern USA | Active |
Orbis Medicines | Sep 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
ZELP | Sep 2023 | Novo Growth | United Kingdom | Active |
Doctor Anywhere | Aug 2023 | Asia | Active | |
Hemab | Jul 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Muna Therapeutics | Jul 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Genomatica | Jul 2023 | Novo Growth | Western USA | Active |
Availity | Jul 2023 | Principal Investments | Eastern USA | Active |
Tribune Therapeutics | Jun 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Quanta | Jun 2023 | Novo Growth | United Kingdom | Active |
BBI Group | Jun 2023 | Principal Investments | United Kingdom | Active |
AMSilk | May 2021 | Novo Growth | Europe | Active |
Numab | May 2021 | Novo Ventures | Active | |
Esco | May 2021 | Principal Investments | Asia | Active |
Hummingbird | May 2021 | Novo Ventures | Asia | Active |
Halodoc | Apr 2023 | Novo Ventures | Asia | Active |
Stride Therapeutics | Apr 2023 | Novo Ventures | North America | Active |
Renewable Energy Partnership | Apr 2023 | Novo Capital Investors | Europe | Active |
Bactolife | Apr 2023 | Novo Seeds | Active | |
Adcendo | Apr 2023 | Novo Seeds | Active | |
Altasciences | Mar 2023 | Principal Investments | North America | Active |
Deep Branch | Mar 2023 | Novo Growth | Europe | Active |
BGV | Jan 2023 | Novo Ventures | Europe | Active |
Verve Therapeutics | Jan 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Active |
The Protein Brewery | Nov 2023 | Novo Growth | Europe | Active |
Rappta Therapeutics | Aug 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
NREP | Aug 2023 | Novo Capital Investors | Europe | Active |
Lava Therapeutics | Aug 2023 | Novo Ventures | Europe | Active |
Mission Bio | Aug 2023 | Novo Growth | Western USA | Active |
iSD Immunotech | Jul 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Chromologics | Jul 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Freeline | Jul 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Active |
Checkmate Pharma | Jun 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Active |
NodThera | Jun 2023 | Novo Ventures | Europe | Active |
Exscientia | May 2020 | Novo Growth | Europe | Active |
Hyperbio Therapeutics | May 2020 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Kebotix | Apr 2023 | Novo Growth | Eastern USA | Active |
WCG | Jan 2023 | Principal Investments | Eastern USA | Active |
bioMASON | Dec 2023 | Novo Growth | Eastern USA | Active |
Allievex Corporation | Oct 2019 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Active |
STipe Therapeutics | Oct 2019 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Cyteir Therapeutics | Aug 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Active |
LanzaTech | Aug 2023 | Novo Growth | Western USA | Active |
Edgewise Therapeutics | Jul 2023 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
Amolyt Pharma | Jul 2023 | Novo Ventures | Europe | Active |
Glycomine | Jul 2023 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
Disk Medicine | Jun 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Active |
Claris Bio | Jun 2023 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
VectivBio | Jun 2023 | Novo Ventures | Europe | Active |
Vestaron | Jun 2023 | Novo Growth | Eastern USA | Active |
MycoWorks | May 2019 | Novo Growth | Western USA | Active |
Swift Health Systems / Inbrace | May 2019 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Active |
Tempus | May 2019 | Novo Growth | Western USA | Active |
Oxford Biomedica | May 2019 | Novo Growth | Europe | Active |
Anthos Therapeutics | Jan 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Active |
Mirum Pharmaceuticals | Nov 2023 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
Precirix | Nov 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Draupnir Bio | Oct 2018 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
BioPhero | Sep 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Exit |
Morphic Therapeutics | Sep 2023 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
Envirotainer | Sep 2023 | Principal Investments | Europe | Exit |
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange | Aug 2023 | Novo Capital Investors | Europe | Active |
MDLIVE | Aug 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Exit |
Aligos | Aug 2023 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
Aristea Therapeutics | Jul 2023 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
Reviral | Jul 2023 | Novo Ventures | Europe | Active |
Stargazer Pharmaceuticals | Apr 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Exit |
Praxis Precision Medicine | Mar 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Exit |
Viewpoint | Feb 2023 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Exit |
Syndesi Therapeutics | Dec 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
NorthSea Therapeutics | Dec 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Arcellx | Sep 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Active |
Harmony Biosciences | Sep 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Active |
Milestone Pharmaceuticals | Jun 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Exit |
Antag Therapeutics | May 2017 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
AFYX | Apr 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Avalyn | Mar 2023 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
Cirius | Mar 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Exit |
Convatec | Mar 2023 | Principal Investments | Europe | Active |
Evotec | Feb 2023 | Principal Investments | Europe | Active |
Inozyme Pharma | Jan 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Exit |
Hoba Therapeutics | Dec 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Macrophage pharma | Dec 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Exit |
Minerva Surgical | Dec 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Active |
AMRA | Nov 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
HepaRegeniX | Nov 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
CorWave | Oct 2016 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Tarveda Therapeutics | Oct 2016 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Exit |
Bolt Biotherapeutics | Sep 2023 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
Invisio | Aug 2023 | Novo Capital Investors | Europe | Active |
NMD Pharma | Jun 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Rgenix | Jun 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Exit |
F2G Limited | Jun 2023 | Novo Ventures | Europe | Active |
Verona Pharma | Jun 2023 | Novo Ventures | Europe | Active |
Inspirna | Jun 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Active |
ERT | May 2016 | Principal Investments | Eastern USA | Exit |
Clario | May 2016 | Principal Investments | Eastern USA | Active |
Spruce Biosciences | Apr 2023 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
Synlab | Feb 2023 | Principal Investments | Europe | Active |
Nkarta | Oct 2015 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
DADES | Jul 2023 | Novo Capital Investors | Europe | Active |
E-Scape Bio | Jul 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Active |
Unchained Labs | Feb 2023 | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Exit |
Biosyntia | Jan 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Inthera Bioscience | Jan 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Galera Therapeutics | Jan 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Exit |
Sonion | Jul 2023 | Principal Investments | Europe | Active |
Anokion | Mar 2023 | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Active |
IO Biotech | Jan 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Lysogene | Jan 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Exit |
Xellia Pharmaceuticals | May 2013 | Principal Investments | Europe | Active |
Avilex Pharma | Feb 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Forendo Pharma | Jan 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Exit |
Reapplix | Jan 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Karus Therapeutics Ltd. | Jun 2023 | Novo Ventures | Europe | Exit |
Chr. Hansen | Jan 2023 | Principal Investments | Europe | Active |
Galecto Biotech | Nov 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Acesion Pharma | Jan 2023 | Novo Seeds | Europe | Active |
Orexo | Apr 2023 | Principal Investments | Europe | Active |
Inogen | Nov 2023 | Principal Investments | Western USA | Exit |
JUST Asia | Asia | Active | ||
Noom | Novo Ventures | Eastern USA | Active | |
Reneo Pharmaceuticals | Novo Ventures | Western USA | Active |
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