Novo Nordisk names Bayer's Andrea Haegebarth head of global research

Novo Nordisk has named Andrea Haegebarth, most recently Bayer's global head of research and early development for precision medicine, as its new senior vice president of global research, starting October 1, 2026 ^[1]. She replaces Jacob Petersen, who is moving into a newly created role as head of R&D external innovation after more than 25 years at the company ^[1].

Haegebarth spent nearly two decades at Bayer, starting as a research scientist in oncology before moving into roles spanning product commercialization, R&D strategy, and precision medicine ^[1]. In her most recent post, she built Bayer's portfolio in precision cardiovascular and kidney disease research, covering both chronic and acute care, while also supporting immunology work ^[1]. At Novo Nordisk, she said her focus will include bringing that cardiovascular, renal, and immunology experience to expand the company's reach into related disease areas ^[1].

Petersen, who has worked across metabolic diseases, cell therapy, nucleic acid therapies, diabetes, and obesity during his time at Novo Nordisk, will now lead efforts to find and bring in outside science and technology ^[1]. Martin Holst Lange, the company's chief scientific officer, described the two roles as "highly complementary," saying one will strengthen internal research while the other connects the company to science happening elsewhere ^[1].

The change comes as Novo Nordisk's research spending has grown. The company spent about 52 billion Danish kroner, or roughly $8 billion, on R&D in 2025, an 8% increase from the year before, equal to 16.8% of its total sales ^[1]. Its public pipeline currently lists 37 programs in various stages of testing, from early trials through filings for approval, with 31 of those tied to obesity or diabetes ^[1]. Beyond GLP-1 drugs, the company is also working on therapies using RNA interference, gene editing, cell therapy, and new ways to deliver peptide and protein drugs by mouth ^[1].

Novo Nordisk has also been expanding partnerships tied to this research push. In August 2026, it announced a deal with Amazon Web Services to build an AI hub in London aimed at speeding up drug discovery ^[1]. It has separate partnerships with Aspect Biosystems, which uses 3D bioprinting to develop cell therapies for diabetes, and with Vivtex, a Boston company working on oral delivery technology for peptide and protein drugs, in a deal that could be worth up to $2.1 billion ^[1].

Why it matters for patients

This is a leadership change, not a new drug approval, so it will not affect anyone currently taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, or other Novo Nordisk products right now. But research leadership shapes what gets studied and how fast new treatments move through the pipeline. Haegebarth's background in cardiovascular and kidney disease research could signal where Novo Nordisk puts more discovery effort in the coming years, areas that already overlap with complications common in people with obesity and diabetes ^[1].

The emphasis on external partnerships, through the new role for Petersen and existing deals with companies like Vivtex and Aspect Biosystems, points to Novo Nordisk looking outside its own labs for ideas, including new ways to deliver drugs like GLP-1 therapies without injections ^[1]. None of this changes the safety or availability of medications on the market today, and no new obesity or diabetes drug approvals were part of this announcement ^[1].

What happens next

Haegebarth and Petersen begin their new roles on October 1, 2026 ^[1]. Novo Nordisk did not release a timeline for any specific research outcomes tied to the leadership change, and the sources do not say how or when this shift might affect the company's pipeline of 37 programs ^[1].