Stem cell research has raised hopes for a revolutionary treatment in the future with cell transplantation that can be offered to people with many different serious chronic diseases caused by degeneration of defined cell types, for example in the case of diabetes and Parkinson's disease. At the same time, research in human embryonic stem cells has evoked an important ethical debate based on culturally founded objections to certain types of research.
Novo Nordisk’s approach
Finding a cure for diabetes is part of Novo Nordisk's vision. Human stem cell research with the potential of cell transplantation is presently the most promising approach to achieving this goal for type 1 diabetes. We want to be prepared for these new therapies and thus maintain a successful and sustainable business within diabetes care in the future.
Novo Nordisk is, and has been for a long time, a partner in national and international cooperative projects involving stem cells. Novo Nordisk only uses human embryonic stem cells when it anticipates that the same results cannot be obtained from the use of adult stem cells. At present no source other than embryonic stem cells has proven useful in generating insulin-producing cells in vitro.
Novo Nordisk, together with the majority of scientists within the field of stem cell research, finds that it is essential to proceed with research in both adult and embryonic stem cells in parallel, partly to gain basic knowledge about the normal cell maturation processes and partly to clarify the potential of the two cell types. Cell nuclear transfer and therapeutic cloning do not presently offer any advantages that in any way outweigh both the inherent scientific risks and the ethical dilemmas.
Novo Nordisk is respectful of those who have culturally founded objections to the use of human embryonic stem cells. It is active in contributing to an open dialogue and an ethical and political clarification regarding the use of human embryonic stem cells. In Europe, large differences exist between the different countries with regard to the legislation and control of research on human embryonic stem cells. This is a cause for concern and Novo Nordisk therefore urges all countries to establish legislation that will ensure that this important research is adequately regulated and controlled.
Performance in 2005
In 2005 Novo Nordisk continued to be at the forefront of stem cell research through the Hagedorn Research Institute, an independent basic research component of Novo Nordisk, in which the company is currently investing more than 15 million Danish kroner in developmental biology and stem cell research. Hagedorn is the only industrial partner in two cutting-edge research efforts: Beta Cell Biology Consortium (BCBC) supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Center for Beta Cell Therapy in Diabetes in Europe.
In 2005 the JDRF Centre for Beta Cell Therapy received an 11.8 million euro grant over five years together with Hagedorn to lead the work of 15 laboratories across Europe to further study the potential of embryonic stem cells to become mature functioning beta cells in vitro.
Also in 2005 Hagedorn received a prestigious grant of 4.3 million US dollars over four years from the NIH to coordinate a mainly European research effort in development biology at the BCBC.
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