Danish Drugmaker Novo Nordisk said on Tuesday it is partnering with OpenAI to use artificial intelligence across its business, from drug discovery to manufacturing and commercial operations.
The company, which is the maker of weight loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, said the partnership would use OpenAI’s technology to analyze complex datasets, identify promising drug candidates and improve efficiency in manufacturing, supply chains, distribution and corporate operations.
“There are millions of people living with obesity and diabetes who need treatment options, and we know there are therapies still waiting to be discovered that could change their lives,” said Novo CEO Mike Doustdar. “Integrating AI in our everyday work gives us the ability to analyse datasets at a scale that was previously impossible, identify patterns we could not see, and test hypotheses faster than ever.”
READ: FDA approves Novo Nordisk oral weight-loss drug, shifting obesity market (December 23, 2025)
“AI is reshaping industries and in life sciences, it can help people live better, longer lives,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly turning to AI to streamline parts of the drug development process. AI is reportedly playing a role in tasks ranging from finding clinical trial participants and selecting sites to preparing regulatory filings. However, industry executives say the technology has not yet fully delivered on the harder task of discovering major new molecules.
“We haven’t heard the last of it yet… in terms of how clinical trials get designed and run, a lot of it is still very traditional, with certain points where AI is being leveraged,” Arthur D. Little partner Ben van der Schaaf, told CNBC last month. “AI is not an end-to-end component yet.”
READ: Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk to cut about 9,000 jobs globally (September 10, 2025)
Novo did not disclose the financial terms of its agreement. It said pilot programs would begin across research and development, manufacturing and commercial operations, with full integration planned by the end of 2026. The pharma giant also said that OpenAI will also help train its global workforce, increasing AI literacy and boosting productivity across departments.
Novo is also partnering with Nvidia to use the Gefion sovereign AI supercomputer to “accelerate drug discovery efforts through innovative AI use cases.” The companies said last year that they aim to create customized AI models and agents that Novo can use for early research and clinical development.
Novo Nordisk is currently competing with U.S. rival Eli Lilly in the lucrative weight loss market. Having lost its first move advantage, Novo is trying to get back its market share, through its Wegovy pill, launched in January, and next-generation drugs.