Novo Nordisk Hires AstraZeneca Executive to Revive Struggling Biopharma Unit

Novo Nordisk Hires AstraZeneca Executive to Revive Struggling Biopharma Unit
AstraZeneca site in Macclesfield, England, on May 19, 2014. Reuters/Phil Noble
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COPENHAGEN—Novo Nordisk is in advanced talks to acquire assets to bolster its struggling biopharma business, its chief executive said on Oct. 14 after the drugmaker announced it had hired an AstraZeneca executive to head the unit.

Novo, best known for its diabetes drugs, has been looking for biopharma assets after losing out to French rival Sanofi in the chase for Belgian biotech company Ablynx in January.