The small city became the basis of the Denmark economy

All because it produces an “OPEC” in it

Kalunnborg is a small port city in Denmark on the western coast of the island of Zealand. The economic growth is associated with it. All thanks to the pharmaceutical company NOVO Nordisk, which produces Ovorpik and Vegovy - drugs for the treatment of diabetes, which are used for weight loss. "Cold" tells how the small city has become the economic capital of Denmark.

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The Danish company Novo Nordisk was founded in 1923 and has been working in Kalunnborg for half a century. Two years ago, the company announced that it invests about $ 8.6 billion in expanding production in Kalunnborg - this was the largest production investment of the company in Denmark.

Investments will become part of the global transformation of Novo Nordisk, aimed at increasing the production of the best -selling drugs. The company plans to increase the number of jobs in Kalunnborg from four and a half to almost six thousand, and Danish universities began to open biotechnology courses in order to provide the plant with labor force. The growth of profit is also expected by companies of other areas of the city.

Sean Gamble worked in the novo nordisk warehouse. Four years ago, he opened the Costa Kalundborg Kaffe coffee shop . Usually, the cafe is profitable only in the summer tourist season, and the rest of the time it brings losses, but Gamble believes that his business is waiting for a good future due to the development of Novo Nordisk. He plans to increase investments in the coffee shop and believes that "in five years it will be a completely different city."

The authorities of the municipality are also inspired by the growth of the company and plan to open the library and the cultural center in the city.

Company with a centenary history and sudden growth

NOVO Nordisk was constantly engaged in the production of drugs for the treatment of diabetes - one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. Today, half of the world insulin is produced here. The success of “Overpik” and “Vegovy” led the company to the search for drugs for the treatment and prevention of obesity, which is often associated with other problems - for example, heart and kidney diseases.

The Executive Director of Novo Nordisk Lars Jorgensen did not expect a similar growth of the company: according to him, in 2023, its revenue increased by 30%. Due to the fact that the company's drugs are used in the fight not only with diabetes, but also with obesity, potential customers of Novo Nordisk can become almost a billion people.

In this regard, Jorgensen is trying to increase production in order to satisfy a huge demand for weight loss drugs, ahead of competitors and ensure the co -free future of the company. Last summer, Novo Nordisk has already overtaken the French group of luxury companies LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton and became the most expensive company in Europe: its market value exceeds $ 555 billion.

The sudden popularity of "Overpika"

The basis for the growth of Novo Nordisk is the drug component of Semaglutide, which has developed in 2012, which helps the body regulate blood sugar. The same component turned out to be an effective remedy for weight loss: it makes people feel more well -fed during eating and reduces appetite.

“Overpick” and “Vegovy”, the trade names of Semaglutide, have existed for several years, but in recent years have gained particular popularity. This was facilitated by active advertising and videos in social networks, as well as the explosive growth of the popularity of drugs among celebrities. For example, businessman Ilon Musk, in response to the question of how he manages to look “tightened, sports and healthy,” said he was taking “Vygovy”. Last year, the American TV presenter Jimmy Kimmel at the Oscar’s ceremony even joked about the drug: “When I look at this hall, I can’t help but wonder if I need a“ Ovorpik ”?”

Many celebrities are not even scared by the fact that these drugs are prescription and have serious side effects and contraindications. In September 2022, Variety wrote: “Magnats, celebrities from the reality show, experienced film producers and, of course, actors sing diplomes to the drug in Signal. <...> Hairdressers, makeup artists and stylists made injections part of the ritual of celebrities to care for important events. ”

Despite the fact that Novo Nordisk plants operate around the clock, the supply of these drugs is limited . This bothers diabetics and leads to the fact that the drug is faked. NOVO Nordisk notes that until the volumes of drugs produced correspond to demand, the company will choose who will receive this medicine and who is not.

Such popularity has a flip side

Thanks to Novo Nordisk, the Denmark economy last year increased by 1.9% - this is one of the highest rates in Europe. Almost all Novo Nordisk revenues were received abroad, more than half in the USA.

Novo Nordisk is the largest taxpayer among companies in Denmark: last year she paid about 15% of the total corporate tax in the country. This is more than the taxes of other Danish firms known throughout the world: Carlsberg brewery, Maersk toys production companies or logistics company.

At the same time, some analysts note that the dependence of the economy on one large company may turn against Denmark. As an example, they provide the loss of the popularity of the Finnish Nokia and the recession in the country's economy arose in this regard, when the iPhone and smartphones on Android came to the market.

The Minister of Economics of Denmark Stefani Lose is sure that Denmark will not suffer the same fate. “The pharmaceutical sector is not so closely connected with the Danish economy,” she says. NOVO Nordisk employees make up only 1% of Denmark's labor force, although they accounted for 20% of workplaces added last year.

Kalunnborg was already dependent on the successes of single large companies. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the city was brought to the city, a shipbuilding shipyard, which went bankrupt during the Great Depression. In the 1960s, Kalunnborg flourished as the production site of Carmen Curlers, which invented electric heat-mobilegudes. Then the company was sold to the American company Clairrol, the fashion changed, thousands of people were fired, and in 1990 the plant closed.

The mayor of the commune Kalunnborg Martin Damm, however, believes that another attempt to develop the city will be more successful.