Novo Nordisk chair and independent directors to exit in strategy dispute

Group 1 - The chair of Novo Nordisk and six independent board members will resign due to a strategic dispute with the controlling shareholder, the Novo Nordisk Foundation [1][3] - The Foundation plans to propose Lars Rebien Sorensen as the temporary chairman for a period of two to three years [2] - The company has undergone significant leadership changes, including the ousting of CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen and the initiation of a restructuring plan involving 9,000 job cuts [2] Group 2 - The board renewal is deemed necessary by the Foundation to adapt to the rapidly changing environment in the obesity drug market [3] - There was a lack of consensus between the board and the Foundation regarding the extent of the board renewal, with the board favoring selective additions and the Foundation advocating for a more comprehensive reconfiguration [4] - Helge Lund has served as chair of Novo's board since 2018 [4]