Novo Nordisk influences Steno diabetes conference in Copenhagen

Novo Nordisk played a significant role in facilitating the ‘Steno Frontiers in Diabetology’ scientific conference, held at the public Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen this spring. The pharmaceutical giant had the opportunity to selectively choose a substantial portion of the 46 attendees, including 24 professors and doctors from Eastern European countries such as Romania, Serbia, and Croatia, where Novo Nordisk has financial interests. They also sent an additional six employees from these countries, along with staff from its Danish subsidiary.

Documents reveal that Novo Nordisk accounted for nearly two-thirds of the conference participants, which included discussions on obesity and diabetes treatment, workshops, and networking opportunities. Magnus Jensen, the hospital’s director, acknowledged this imbalance, stating, “It does not look good that 30 out of 46 were designated by Novo Nordisk.” Jensen indicated that future activities must avoid raising concerns about impartiality.

Critics have raised alarms over Novo Nordisk’s influence, with some describing the conference as a marketing initiative. Karsten Juhl Jørgensen, a professor from Southern Denmark University, emphasized the dangerous blurring of public and private boundaries and questioned the purpose of inviting foreign doctors, especially regarding Novo Nordisk’s obesity treatments.

Mats Lindberg from the organization Doctors Without Sponsors criticized the Steno center as a “Trojan horse” for Novo Nordisk’s interests. While the Steno Diabetes Center was a private entity until 2016, it is now part of the public healthcare system but continues to receive funding from Novo Nordisk’s foundation.

Despite Novo Nordisk’s assertion that it does not have special access to the hospital compared to other companies, Jensen admitted that the situation could create negative perceptions and acknowledged the need to approach such collaborations with greater caution in the future.