Novo Nordisk partners OpenAI

Novo Nordisk said Tuesday it will use OpenAI’s artificial intelligence tools across drug discovery, manufacturing and commercial work. (reuters.com) (biospace.com) The Danish drugmaker said the partnership will help its staff analyze large datasets, identify possible drug candidates and shorten the time from research to patients. Novo said pilot programs are starting in research and development, manufacturing and commercial teams, with broader rollout planned by the end of 2026. (cnbc.com) (morningstar.com) Novo also said OpenAI will help train its global workforce to use the tools, and that the setup includes data governance and human oversight for compliance. Chief Executive Mike Doustdar said the goal is not to replace scientists but to increase their productivity. (biospace.com) (reuters.com) Drugmakers have been using artificial intelligence for narrower jobs such as finding clinical trial patients, choosing trial sites and preparing regulatory paperwork. Industry executives have also said the technology has not yet consistently produced major new molecules on its own. (reuters.com) (wsj.com) Novo is making the move as its rivalry with Eli Lilly intensifies in obesity drugs, a market analysts expect to top $100 billion in annual revenue over the next decade. Reuters reported Lilly won United States approval this month for its obesity pill Foundayo after Novo launched oral Wegovy in January 2026. (reuters.com 1) (reuters.com 2) (cnbc.com) Shares of Novo Nordisk rose 2.8% shortly after the opening bell on April 14 after the partnership was announced. The company did not disclose financial terms. (cnbc.com) (reuters.com) The deal adds to a growing list of drugmakers working with OpenAI, including Sanofi, Moderna, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Eli Lilly, according to industry reports. Novo has also been building its own artificial intelligence partnerships, including a research-focused deal with Nvidia announced in 2025. (pharmaceutical-technology.com) (bloomberg.com) For Novo, the immediate test is whether software can speed the slow parts of drug development and factory planning while its obesity franchise faces a faster-moving competitor. The company is betting that one partnership can touch both the lab bench and the supply chain before 2026 ends. (reuters.com) (biospace.com)