Novo Nordisk Establishes Seattle Diabetes R&D Center

Novo Nordisk will establish a type 1 diabetes R&D center in Seattle, WA. The new center will combine the company’s diabetes expertise with its growing immunotherapy expertise. The center is expected to open this summer and will be staffed by approximately 20 researchers who will be supported by corporate functions in the U.S. and Denmark.

The new center aims to pursue a translational research approach by combining basic research and early proof-of-concept trials under one umbrella. This will allow the company to move early-stage discovery projects rapidly from animal models into small clinical trials in type 1 diabetes.

“Novo Nordisk has been passionate about helping people fight diabetes since the company was founded, and it is part of our mission to take type 1 diabetes research to the next level,” said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief science officer at Novo Nordisk. “With the new R&D center, we hope to accelerate the process of finding new, innovative ways of treating people with this disease. Our vision is to prevent, treat and ultimately cure diabetes.”

Matthias von Herrath, M.D., a world-renowned researcher in autoimmune diseases, will serve as head of the diabetes research center. “My dream has always been to see some of the treatments that my and other research teams have tested in animal models translated into better treatments for type 1 diabetes,” said Dr. von Herrath.