Dr. Göran Ando is proposed for election to Initiator Pharma’s Board of Directors and appointed as senior advisor in business development

Initiator Pharma A/S, a clinical-stage pharma company developing innovative drugs targeting unmet medical needs within the central and peripheral nervous system, today announced that Dr. Göran Ando, former Chairman of Novo Nordisk A/S, is proposed for election to the company’s Board of Directors at the 2025 AGM. Dr. Ando is also appointed as an advisor supporting the Board and management team, effective immediately.

”I am very pleased that Dr. Ando has accepted the role as advisor and the nomination to Initiator Pharma’s board. Dr. Ando is one of the most distinguished world leaders in the pharmaceutical industry, not least through his long tenure as Chairman of Novo Nordisk. His experience and network will be of immense value to us”, says Magnus Persson, Chairman of the Board at Initiator Pharma.

"Initiator Pharma has an exciting and promising project portfolio targeting areas with high medical need, and a leadership team that has impressed me in our discussions. I look forward to supporting the team in the continued value creation of Initiator Pharma”, says Dr. Göran Ando.

Dr. Göran Ando’s prominent career in the global pharmaceutical industry spans over more than four decades. Dr. Ando’s previous board assignments include Vice Chairman and Chairman at Novo Nordisk A/S between 2006 and 2018. He is also Chairman of the Board for Nouscom A/G in Switzerland, Nanexa AB in Sweden, and Eyepoint Pharmaceuticals in the US. He began his career at Pfizer, holding several senior clinical positions in both the U.S. and Europe. Dr. Ando also served as President of the Astra Research Centre and held senior appointments at GlaxoSmithKline, including R&D Director for Glaxo Group Research. In 1995, he joined Pharmacia as Executive Vice President and Deputy CEO, and during his tenure at Pharmacia/Pharmacia & Upjohn 17 new drugs were approved by the FDA before Pharmacia was acquired by Pfizer for $60 billion. He was the CEO of Cell Tech Group from 2003 to 2005 and Senior Advisor at EW Healthcare Partners from 2007 to 2021.

Dr. Ando holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Uppsala University in Sweden and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Linköping University in Sweden.