Denmark-based pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has completed notifying most of its employees impacted by the ongoing global restructuring initiative, CEO Mike Doustdar announced on Friday, October 31, 2025.
Doustdar said the pace of notifications varied across countries due to local legal requirements but emphasized that the company aimed to handle the process with “transparency and respect.”
“We have now notified impacted colleagues in the vast majority of our geographies, though the pace varies according to differences in local laws. In all our interactions, we have always sought to operate with transparency and respect,” Doustdar stated in a LinkedIn post.
He added that the restructuring was a necessary transformation to strengthen Novo Nordisk’s long-term growth strategy.
9,000 Jobs to Be Cut Globally
According to Reuters, Novo Nordisk plans to eliminate around 9,000 positions as part of the CEO’s company-wide restructuring announced last month. The move comes amid rising competition in the lucrative weight-loss drug market, where Novo’s Wegovy faces stiff rivalry from Eli Lilly’s offerings.
The layoffs reportedly began on October 14, 2025, affecting several departments — including human resources, clinical development, rare diseases, medical and regulatory, legal, ethics and compliance, marketing and sales, finance, and public affairs.
Focus on Obesity and Diabetes Drugs
The restructuring aligns with Novo Nordisk’s strategy to sharpen its focus on obesity and diabetes therapies, while improving cost efficiency and commercial execution.
Doustdar also took to LinkedIn to endorse laid-off employees, calling them “good people who have a lot to offer” and encouraging other employers to consider them for open roles.
“For anybody who sees a former colleague with the ‘Open to Work’ badge or who receives a CV on their desk from someone who spent time with us — they are good people, who have a lot to offer,” he added.
On the Copenhagen Stock Exchange, Novo Nordisk shares closed 2.09% lower at 315.95 Swedish krona on Friday, down from 322.70 krona in the previous session.
