1921
Canadians Banting and Best discover how to extract insulin from animals for human use. 

The first experiments to extract insulin from animals for human use are carried out in the cellar of the Pedersen brothers on Fuglebakkevej in Denmark. 

Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium is founded by the brothers Harald and Thorvald Pedersen. 

Novo builds its first factory at Fuglebakken in Denmark. The architect is Arne Jacobsen, one of Denmark’s most successful architects and designers.

Thorvald Pedersen decides to expand the business by producing enzymes.

The frozen pancreas used for insulin production also contained enzymes –however, when extracting the insulin, it was believed that you ”de-activated” the enzymes. So the residue after insulin extraction was not used for anythingexcept feed. However, most pancreas in the world at this point in time were notused for insulin but for treatment of leather. So – looking at the supplyproblems of pancreas owing to WW II – Thorvald decided to  find out if it wasnot possible to use the same pancreas for both insulin extraction and enzymesproduction. This would cut expenses and lessen the demand for pancreasworldwide.

1940

Novo introduces special child allowances for employees with children.

Trypsin crystals: Novo’s first enzyme product. Trypsin is extracted from the pancreas after insulin extraction and used for cleaning hides prior to tanning.

In the 1940s it was proved it wrong that enzymes were destroyed during insulin extraction and this lead to the development of a method to extract both insulin and enzymes from the same pancreas.

1951
The Novo Foundation is set up to support scientific, social, and humanitarian causes, and to provide the best possible protection for the company via the new company structure.

Termozym® is Novo’s first microbial enzyme, followed by Aquazym® in 1954. Both are used in the textile industry to remove starch from fabrics.

Arne Jacobsen designs the “Ant” chair for Novo’s new canteen. To this day the chair is marketed globally.

Novo introduces a five-day working week.

Novo Enzym is launched for use in the detergent industry, and the first pilot plant is built at Fuglebakken near Copenhagen.

Alcalase is Novo’s first detergent enzyme produced by fermentation.

In 1960 Novo’s researchers accidentally found themselves in possession of a remarkable enzyme. To their astonishment, they found that the enzyme had all the properties which detergent manufacturers were looking for. It could remove obstinate stains from blood and sweat and acted without problems with other substances in the detergent. The new enzyme product was named Alcalase® and was Novo’s first detergent enzyme produced by fermentation.

Part of Novo’s production is moved to new buildings erected on a 122,000 m2 plot of land in Bagsvaerd, Denmark.

To celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary, employees are given three days of paid holiday. In the same year, Novo triples its workforce – about half are women.

Novo builds a factory in Kalundborg, Denmark. 

Studies show that detergent enzymes do not present a risk to consumers. Nevertheless, the media attacks on detergent enzymes spread to Europe, leading to a drop in sales and a reduction in Novo’s workforce from 2,100 to 1,700.

In November the US health authorities determine that detergent enzymes are in fact safe to use, and the media storm subsides. In 1972 sales go up again. 

To reduce the risk of workers at detergent factories developing allergies, Novo developed dust-free enzyme preparations.

Novo’s female employees demand equal pay for the first time.

Novo’s shares are listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange.

Brazil launches a large-scale project to produce fuel alcohol as an alternative to expensive oil.

Novo sets up an environmental department. Studies of obnoxious smells are one of the first tasks.

Novo becomes the first Scandinavian company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

In the mid 1980s Novo supplies about 60% of the total world consumption of detergent enzymes.

Novo launches Lipolase® – the first fat-splitting enzyme for detergents manufactured with genetically engineered microorganisms.

Although Novo had developed a wide range of efficient detergent enzymes, there was still one serious problem frustrating the company’s researchers: They had not yet succeeded in finding an enzyme that could dissolve greasy stains. The breakthrough came in the autumn 1987. Novo’s researchers became the first in the world to develop a bacterial strain that could produce large quantities of a fat-splitting enzyme. The enzyme was given the name Lipolase®. This was Novo’s first genetically engineered enzyme product and it reached the market just four months after the enzyme researchers’ triumph in the laboratory. Novo had managed yet again to develop an enzyme with desirable properties, and before long Lipolase® was being used in a wide range of detergents all over the world.

1989
Danish companies Novo and Nordisk Gentofte merge to become Novo Nordisk.

The Brazilian factory is inaugurated. Only 18 months after the land was purchased, the first enzyme is produced and sold.

Bagsvaerd’s kindergarten celebrates its 15th anniversary. It was one of the first company kindergartens in Denmark.

Novo in Davis, California, is inaugurated.

Novo becomes the first company in Denmark to issue an environmental report. Novo is also one of the first to implement the triple bottom line in a bid to balance financial, social, and environmental aspects.

During the 1990s the company starts issuing annual reports on social and environmental performance – in addition to the traditional annual report. The company thus started measuring what is called the “triple bottom line”. In other words, the company’s activities are evaluated in terms of their social and environmental responsibility and impact and economic viability. In practical terms, triple bottom line (also known as “TBL”)  accounting means expanding the traditional reporting framework to take into account ecological and social performance in addition to financial reporting. Today’s sustainabilty concept arises from the TBL reporting.

1996
DeniLite® is launched – the first enzyme in the world for bleaching denim in the textile industry.

Kannase® is launched – a detergent enzyme for soft and cold water.

A new enzyme factory opens in Tianjin, China, enabling Chinese farmers to join Danish, American, and Brazilian farmers in receiving NovoGro®.

Novo publishes its first social report.

Novo is split into three independent companies: Novo Nordisk A/S, Novozymes A/S and Novo A/S.

For the first time customers can buy enzymes online via Novozymes’ new website.

Novozymes acquires Sybron in Salem, USA. This marks the start of the microorganism business in the US.

Novozymes in Davis contracts with the US government to develop enzymes that can turn biomass into environmentally friendly fuel.

Novozymes is awarded the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for work on enzymes to develop healthier oils and fats for use in food.

Launch of six integrity principles to help individual employees to deal with issues such as bribery.

Acquisition of Australian biopharma company GroPep and UK-based biotech company Delta. This marks the start of the biopharma business.

President Bush visits Novozymes’ US headquarters and hosts a panel discussion on advancements in biofuels.

The business unit BioBusiness is formed consisting of microorganisms, biopolymers, and biopharmaceuticals.

The new business area, Biobusiness acquires Philom Bios, Canada, our first step into producing biological products for the agricultural market. In 2010 we acquire Brazilian bioagriculture company Turfal, and in 2011 also the bioag company EMD/Merck Crop BioScience (located in Milwaukee, the US, and Argentina).

Inauguration of the world’s largest enzyme fermentation facility in China, primarily with focus on products for the bioethanol industry.

Launch of Cellic® – the first commercially viable enzyme for production of biofuel from agricultural waste, enabling cellulosic biofuel as a competitive alternative to gasoline. 

2011  
Inauguration of new hyaluronic acid plant in China. The plant represents an investment of more than DKK 300 million.

2013  
Peder Holk Nielsen takes over the reins as CEO when Steen Riisgaard retires.

The world’s first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant opens inCrescentino, Italy – using Novozymes enzymes.

Novozymes teams up with Monsanto to provide bioagricultural solutions.”