Novo Nordisk Taps OpenAI

Novo Nordisk said Tuesday it will roll out OpenAI tools across the company to speed the search for new obesity and diabetes medicines. (reuters.com) The Danish drugmaker said pilot programs will start in research and development, manufacturing, and commercial operations, with full integration planned by the end of 2026. Novo said the system will be used to analyze large datasets, spot drug candidates, and improve supply chains and distribution. (reuters.com) Chief Executive Mike Doustdar said the goal is “not replacing our scientists” but “supercharging them,” and he said the partnership is meant to raise productivity rather than cut the current workforce. OpenAI will also help train Novo’s global staff in artificial intelligence tools, Reuters reported. (reuters.com) Drugmakers have been using artificial intelligence less like a robot chemist and more like a fast research assistant: sorting trial data, matching patients to studies, and drafting regulatory paperwork. Reuters reported that executives still say the technology has not yet proved it can routinely invent major new molecules on its own. (reuters.com) Novo is making the move while trying to defend its lead in obesity medicine against Eli Lilly, which Reuters said won United States approval this month for its weight-loss pill Foundayo after Novo launched oral Wegovy in January 2026. Analysts expect annual weight-loss drug revenue to top $100 billion over the next decade, Reuters reported. (reuters.com) The company’s obesity pipeline is still active even without this deal. Novo’s current research page lists filed programs for CagriSema and semaglutide 7.2 milligrams in obesity, along with earlier-stage obesity candidates including oral and subcutaneous zenagamtide and a triple-acting therapy. (novonordisk.com) Novo had already been expanding its artificial intelligence stack before Tuesday’s announcement. In June 2025, Nvidia said it was working with Novo Nordisk and the Danish Centre for AI Innovation to build custom models and agents for early research and clinical development using Denmark’s Gefion supercomputer. (nvidia.com) The pressure is showing up in Novo’s market position. CNBC reported in February that Novo’s share of the weight-loss drug market had slipped to about 40%, while Eli Lilly held about 60%, and that Novo’s stock was down 75% from its mid-2024 peak. (cnbc.com) On Tuesday, investors initially welcomed the OpenAI deal: Novo shares rose 2.8% shortly after the opening bell, CNBC reported. The company is betting that faster internal work can help it move the next wave of obesity drugs from lab bench to patients sooner. (cnbc.com)