Novo Holdings Responsible Investment Report 2024: delivering returns with lasting impact

Novo Holdings has published its Responsible Investment Report 2024. The report showcases how Novo Holdings’ purpose – to improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet – shapes the investment strategy and generates positive outcomes.

In 2024, 56% of Novo Holdings’ investments were directed towards life sciences, spanning a broad range of healthcare subsectors, including new therapies, diagnostics, drug manufacturing, digital health, and healthcare delivery. Across the portfolio, companies were running 67 active clinical trials involving over 12,000 patients and had secured 198 new patents.

Read the Report here.

As part of its Strategy 2030, 4% of Novo Holdings’ investments supported the green transition, with an allocation target growing to 10% by 2030. In the first year of the 2030 Strategy, DKK 1.4 billion was committed to renewable energy infrastructure, alongside new investments in sustainable food systems, advanced materials, and circular manufacturing.

“Delivering attractive long-term returns that enable the Foundation to expand its support for science, health, and sustainability is central to our purpose,” said Kasim Kutay, Chief Executive Officer of Novo Holdings. “By aligning value creation with science-based solutions, we aim to improve human health while contributing to a more resilient and sustainable planet for generations to come.”

Portfolio progress
In 2024, Novo Holdings’ climate ambitions were reinforced with the approval of its Science Based Targets, which align operations and investments with the Paris Agreement.

By year-end, 57% of eligible Novo Holdings private equity portfolio companies had set their own science-based climate targets, demonstrating their commitment to long-term decarbonisation. In addition, 47% of private portfolio companies brought ESG topics to the boardroom, reflecting increased strategic engagement on sustainability.

Enabling the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s worldwide impact
In its centenary year, the Novo Nordisk Foundation awarded more than DKK 10 billion in grants to nearly 1,800 projects worldwide, spanning health science, green technologies, and humanitarian initiatives, from tackling antimicrobial resistance to accelerating climate research and solutions.

Read the full report to explore how Novo Holdings embeds environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations at every stage of the investment process and delivers on its dual commitment to strong financial performance and lasting societal impact.

Read the Report here.