Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen is a Danish businessman, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation and former Executive Vice President of Research & Development, head of R&D and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.
Education and background
Thomsen went to boarding school in Epsom, Surrey in Great Britain from 1967 to 1971. He graduated from high school from Rungsted Statsskole in 1979. He holds a master's degree from The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in 1986, now part of the University of Copenhagen. According to Krogsgaard Thomsen himself, he originally wanted to be a practicing veterinarian, and was inspired by the British television series All Creatures Great And Small. At the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, however, he started to take an interest in pursuing a career in either science or the pharmaceutical industry. He finished his PhD. from the same university in 1989 and obtained the DSc. degree within the pharmacology of experimental therapeutics in 1991.Career
Thomsen worked as a pharmacologist at Leo Pharma from 1989 to 1991 and was thereafter employed by Novo Nordisk in as head of Growth Hormone Research. He became senior vice president for diabetes R&D in 1994 and was appointed senior vice president of Health Care Discovery in 1995.In November 2000, he was appointed executive vice president of Global R&D and chief scientific officer (CSO). As chief scientific officer, he was responsible for the research and development of 20 medicine products within diabetes, obesity and biopharmaceuticals. He led the development of GLP-1 therapies that today are among the leading treatments within type 2 diabetes and obesity. He left the position as executive vice president of R&D on February 28, 2021, and took the role as CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation on March 1, 2021.
He has been the president of the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences and has been on the board of directors at the Technical University of Denmark and University of Copenhagen. From 2017 to 2020, Thomsen was the chairman of the board of directors at University of Copenhagen. Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen received the royal decoration of Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog by the Danish Royal House on 12 December 2022.
In 2024, Thomsen received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement, presented by Awards Council member Robert S. Langer.
Novo Nordisk
Thomsen joined Novo Nordisk in 1991 as the head of growth hormone research. In 1994, he was appointed senior vice president of diabetes research & development. In November 2000, he became executive vice president and chief scientific officer, overseeing global operations related to drug and device research, chemistry, manufacturing and controls, global development, medical affairs, regulatory affairs, and safety. During his tenure, more than 20 pharmaceutical products were developed and approved.Development of GLP-1-based therapies
During his tenure as chief scientific officer at Novo Nordisk, Thomsen played a significant role in the development of GLP-1-based therapies, including Ozempic and Wegovy. In the early 1990s, despite skepticism from company leadership regarding the potential of obesity treatments, Thomsen advocated for focusing on obesity as a significant health issue. This strategic direction led to the development of Ozempic, approved for Type 2 diabetes treatment in 2017, and Wegovy, approved for weight loss in 2021. Both medications are based on semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist designed to regulate blood sugar levels and appetite.Novo Nordisk Foundation
On March 1, 2021, Thomsen was appointed CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, a philanthropic organization that funds research in health, life sciences, and sustainability.Academic and scientific contributions
Thomsen has been an adjunct professor at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University since 2000. He has also served on the editorial boards of various international peer-reviewed journals and has published extensively in the fields of pharmacology, immunology, endocrinology, and haemostasis.List of publications associated to Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen':'
| Year | Publication | Authors |
| 1989 | Biological variation in random and leukotriene B4-directed migration of canine neutrophils | M.Krogsgaard Thomsen, H Strøm |
| 1989 | Histopathological Changes in Canine Allergic Contact Dermatitis Patch Test Reactions: A study on spontaneously hypersensitive dogs | Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Henrik Klem Thomsen |
| 1989 | Inhibition by the LTD4 antagonist, SR2640, of effects of LTD4 on canine polymorphonuclear leukocyte functions | Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Ian Ahnfelt-Rønne |
| 1990 | Effect of proinflammatory mediators on canine neutrophil migration and aggregation | H Strøm, M.K. Thomsen |
| 1990 | Effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on canine neutrophil chemotaxis | H Strøm, M. Krogsgaard Thomsen |
| 1990 | LTD4 increases cytosolic free calcium and inositol phosphates in human neutrophils: inhibition by the novel LTD4 receptor antagonist, SR2640, and possible relation to modulation of chemotaxis | Pierre Bouchelouche, Ian Ahnfelt-Rønne, M K Thomsen |
| 1990 | Is interleukin-1 alpha a direct activator of neutrophil migration and phagocytosis in the dog? | M K Thomsen |
| 1990 | Effects of etodolac, indomethacin and sodium salicylate on canine neutrophil function | M K Thomsen, Tine Skak-Nielsen, Ian Ahnfelt-Rønne |
| 1991 | Purification and Characterization of Hepatic Microsomal Cytochrome P-450 in Phenobarbital- and β-Naphthoflavone-Treated Pigs | Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Christian Friis, Poul Nielsen |
| 1991 | Impairment of Neutrophil Functions in a Dog with an Eosinophilic DermatosisHœmmet granulocytfunktion hos en hund med en eosinofil dermatose | M. Krogsgaard Thomsen, A. Lundorff Jensen, E. Bindseil, F. Kristensen |
| 1991 | Reassessment of two Boyden chamber methods for measuring canine neutrophil migration: the leading front and the lower surface count assays | Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Asger L Jensen |
| 1991 | Substance P: a neurogenic mediator of acute cellular inflammation in the dog? | M. Krogsgaard Thomsen |
| 1991 | The role of neutrophil-activating mediators in canine healthand disease | M. Krogsgaard Thomsen |
| 1991 | 1,252-D3 is a potent regulator of interleukin-1 induced interleukin-8 expression and production | Christian Gronhoj Larsen, Mette Deleuran Kirsten Paludan, Bent Deleuran, Mads K. Thomsen, Claus Zachariae, Knud Kragballe Kouji Matsushima, Kristian Thestrup-Pedersen |
| 1991 | Enhanced granulocyte function in a case of chronic granulocytic leukemia in a dog | Mads K. Thomsen, Asger L Jensen, Tine Skak-Nielsen, Flemming Kristensen |
| 1991 | Effect of the leukotriene LTD4 LTE4 antagonist, SR 2640, in ulcerative colitis: An open clinical study | Ole Haagen Nielsen, Ian Ahnfelt-Rønne, M K Thomsen, A-M. Kissmeyer, Ebbe Langholz |
| 1991 | Inhibition of Leukotriene Biosynthesis and Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Functions by Orally Active Quinolylmethoxyphenylamines | Dorte Kirstein, Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Ian Ahnfelt-Rønne |
| 1991 | Recombinant Human Interleukin-8 Is a Potent Activator of Canine Neutrophil Aggregation, Migration, and Leukotriene B4 Biosynthesis | M. Krogsgaard Thomsen, Christian Gronhoj Larsen, H. Kiem Thomsen, D Kirstein, Tine Skak-Nielsen, Ian Ahnfelt-Rønne, K Thestrup-Pedersen |
| 1991 | M K Thomsen, Ian Ahnfelt-Rønne | |
| 1991 | Impairment of neutrophil functions in a dog with an eosinophilic dermatosis | M K Thomsen, Asger L Jensen, E Bindseil, F Kristensen |
| 1991 | Effects of interleukin-1α on migration of canine neutrophils in vitro and in vivo | Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Henrik Klem Thomsen |
| 1993 | Pharmacokinetics of Recombinant Factor VIIa in the Rat – A Comparison of Bio-, Immuno- and Isotope Assays | Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Viggo Diness, Povl Nilsson, Søren Nørgaard Rasmussen, Tammie Taylor, Ulla Hedner |
| 1993 | Accumulation of the Recombinant Factor VIIa in Rat Bone: Importance of the Gla‐Domain and Relevance to Factor IX, another Vitamin K‐Dependent Clotting Factor | Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Peter Wildgoose, Povl Nilsson, Ulla Hedner |
| 1993 | Distribution of the Recombinant Coagulation Factor 125I-rFVIIa in Rats | Tammie Taylor, M K Thomsen |
| 1993 | A note on the effect of sulphidopeptide leukotrienes on granulocytes in asthma | M. Krogsgaard Thomsen, Ian Ahnfelt-Rønne |
| 1993 | ETH615, a synthetic inhibitor of leukotriene biosynthesis and function, also inhibits the production of and biological responses toward interleukin-8 | Mette Deleuran, Tan Jinquan, Mads K. Thomsen, Claus Zachariae, Kirsten Paludan, Ian Ahnfelt-Rønne, Kouki Matsushima, Kristian Thestrup-Pedersen, Christian Gronhoj Larsen |
| 1993 | Polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocyte chemotactic hyperresponsiveness in a case of canine acromegaly | Asger L Jensen, Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Helle Aaes Margit Andreasen, Jan Søndergaard |
| 1994 | Pharmacological Characterization of a Biosynthetic Trisulfide‐Containing Hydrophobic Derivative of Human Growth Hormone: Comparison with Standard 22 K Growth Hormone | Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Birgit Sehested Hansen, Povl Nilsson Jette Nowak, Peter B Johansen, Preben Damsgaard Thomsen, Jesper Christiansen |
| 1994 | Studies on the Renal Kinetics of Growth Hormone and on the GH Receptor and Related Effects in Animals | M Krogsgaard Thomsen, C Friis, B Sehested Hansen, Peter B Johansen, C Eschen, J Nowak, K Poulsen |
| 1995 | The delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction is dependent on IL-8. Inhibition of a tuberculin skin reaction by an anti-IL-8 monoclonal antibody. | Christian Gronhoj Larsen, M K Thomsen, Borbala Gesser, P D Thomsen, Bent Deleuran, J Nowak, V Skødt, H K Thomsen, Mette Deleuran, K Thestrup-Pedersen |
| 1996 | Effects of heparin and aminoguanidine on glomerular basement membrane thickening in diabetic rats | Peter Oturai, R Rasch, E Hasselager, Peter B Johansen, H Yokoyama, M K Thomsen, Bjarne Myrup, Allan kofoed-enevoldsen, T Deckert |
Awards and recognition
Thomsen has been recognized for his contributions to pharmaceutical research and development. His work has supported advancements in drug discovery and innovation in medical science.Prix Galien CEE Pro Bono Humanum Award: In November 2025, Thomsen accepted the Prix Galien CEE Pro Bono Humanum Award on behalf of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, which received the distinction for its contributions to global health initiatives and scientific research. The award was presented at the Central and Eastern Europe edition of the Prix Galien programme in Warsaw, Poland.PwC Business Executive of the Year 2025: In 2025, Thomsen received PwC Denmark's Business Executive of the Year award. The distinction is presented annually to executives in Danish business who have demonstrated notable leadership, strategic influence, and impact on society. PwC's award committee highlighted Thomsen's role in leading the Novo Nordisk Foundation and its expansion of scientific, global health and sustainability initiatives.Golden Plate Award : Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement, presented by Awards Council member Robert S. Langer.Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog: On December 12, 2022, he was appointed as a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog by the Danish Royal HousePositions of employment
- 1982-1985 Instructor and assistant. Associate Professor, University of Copenhagen
- 1986-1987 Clinical Department Ph.D. scholarship, University of Copenhagen
- 1987-1988 Department of Pharmacology Ph.D. scholarship, University of Copenhagen
- 1988 - 1991 Pharmacologist at LEO Pharma
- 1991 - 2000 Management positions at Novo Nordisk, from 1994 as research director
- * 1991 – 1993 Head of growth hormone pharmacology, Biopharmaceuticals Division, Novo Nordisk
- * 1993 – 1994 Director of pharmacology, Diabetes Care Division, Novo Nordisk
- * 1994 – 1995 Senior vice president of diabetes research & development, Diabetes Care Division, Novo Nordisk
- * 1995 – 1998 Corporate vice president of Drug Discovery, Novo Nordisk
- * 1998 – 2000 Corporate vice president of drug discovery and preclinical development, Novo Nordisk
- 2000 – 2021 Group vice president of research and development, Novo Nordisk
- 2000 – adjunct professor of pharmacology, University of Copenhagen
- 2021 - CEO, Novo Nordisk Foundation
Board positions
Thomsen has held several leadership and advisory positions in academia and industry. Additionally, he has served as chairman of the Danish Biotech Research and Innovation Centre and has participated in governmental committees related to post-graduate education reforms in Denmark.- 2000 – 2008 Member of the board of the Technical University of Denmark.
- 2000 – 2003 Member of the Academy of Technical Sciences, Denmark
- 2003 – 2004 President of the Academy of Technical Sciences, Denmark
- 2006 – 2012 Member of the board of Cellartis AB, Sweden
- 2012 – 2019 Member of the board of the University of Copenhagen
- 2014 - 2016 Chairman of the board, Steno Diabetes Center, Denmark
- 2018 - 2019 Board member, Symphogen A/S, Denmark
- 2020 - Member of the board of BB Biotech AG, Switzerland