An historical obligation
Being socially responsible has always been crucial to the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Ever since Nobel Laureate August Krogh returned home from Canada in 1922 with permission to manufacture insulin in Scandinavia, the companies owned by the Foundation have been committed to contributing to society. Thus, part of the profits generated by the sale of insulin have from the outset been allocated to supporting independent research, just as it has always been a central mission to make insulin widely available for people with diabetes. Today, all companies in the Novo Nordisk Foundation Group must adhere to a set of shared values. Among other things, the companies’ products must contribute to improving people’s lives and working conditions. Moreover, the companies must be environmentally and socially responsible and have their own CSR policies in place.