Novo Holdings

Novo Holdings is a Copenhagen-headquartered holding and investment company responsible for managing the assets and wealth of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, one of the world's largest philanthropic enterprise foundations. The company serves as the controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk A/S and Novonesis A/S — collectively known as the Novo Group — and oversees a broad, diversified investment portfolio with a long-term return perspective. As of year-end 2025, Novo Holdings had Total Assets under Management of DKK 694 billion (EUR 93 billion), reflecting its position as one of Europe's most significant institutional investors.

The company's investment activity spans multiple asset classes, including equities, bonds, real estate, infrastructure, and private equity. A particularly prominent focus is life sciences, where Novo Holdings is recognized as a world-leading investor. It deploys capital into life science companies at all stages of development — from seed and venture through growth and principal investments — via dedicated investment teams including Seed, Venture, Growth, Principal Investments, Planetary Health Investments, and Asia-focused teams. In 2025 alone, the company deployed DKK 13 billion into the life science sector and has accumulated more than 300 life science investments since 1999.

Beyond traditional life sciences, Novo Holdings has established a Planetary Health Investments initiative in partnership with the Novo Nordisk Foundation. This initiative focuses on biotechnology as a driver of societal green transition, targeting promising biosolutions that can generate both attractive financial returns and measurable positive societal impact. This positions the firm at the intersection of healthcare innovation and bio-sustainability.

Novo Holdings operates from a global network of offices in Copenhagen, London, San Francisco, Boston, Singapore, Shanghai, and Mumbai, enabling broad geographic diversification across its investment portfolio. The firm reported a 9.2% CER return in 2025 and a 10-year average annual return of 8.6% on its Investment Portfolio, underscoring its long-term performance orientation.

The company's purpose is to improve people's health and the sustainability of society and the planet by generating attractive long-term returns on foundation assets. Its aspiration is to be recognized as a leading responsible investor delivering strong financial returns alongside positive societal impact. Governance is overseen by a nine-member Board of Directors with deep expertise in asset management and life sciences, supported by the Novo Advisory Group and an Executive Leadership Team operating through Life Sciences and Capital Investments committees.