Thorvald Pedersen
Thorvald Pedersen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Thorvald Andreas Pedersen 1887 Øster Hurup, Denmark |
| Died | 1961 (aged 73–74) Gentofte, Denmark |
| Occupations | Pharmacist, chemist, industrialist |
| Known for | Co-founder of Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium, today Novo Nordisk |
Thorvald Andreas Pedersen (1887–1961) was a Danish pharmacist, chemist, and industrialist. Together with his brother Harald Pedersen, he co-founded the pharmaceutical company Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium in 1925, a predecessor of Novo Nordisk.[1]
Early life and education
Thorvald Pedersen was born in Øster Hurup, Denmark, in 1887, the youngest of ten children in a schoolteacher's family.[1][2] Fascinated by botany and natural sciences, he trained as a pharmacist in Hobro and graduated in 1910.[3] After further studies in chemistry, he worked at Otto Mønsteds Margarinefabrik in Aarhus and from 1918 to 1923 as an analytical chemist at Dansk Sojakagefabrik in Copenhagen.[2]
Career
In the autumn of 1923 Pedersen was hired by Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium to assist in the chemical analysis and purification of insulin, which was being newly produced under the direction of Hans Christian Hagedorn and August Krogh.[1] A disagreement with Hagedorn led to him being fired in spring 1924.[4] Out of solidarity, his brother Harald, who worked as a machinist and engineer at Krogh's laboratory, resigned as well.[5]
Founding of Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium
In February 1925 the Pedersen brothers founded Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium as an enterprise for insulin production.[6] While Harald oversaw mechanical and production engineering, Thorvald led the laboratory's chemical and analytical work, developing purification processes for insulin. Their first product, Insulin Novo, reached the Danish market in 1925.[4] As head of the laboratory (laboratorieforstander), Thorvald directed Novo's scientific research during the late 1920s and 1930s and promoted close cooperation between laboratory and production teams.[2] He promoted social and personnel improvements within the company.[2]
Work
- Developed and optimized insulin extraction and purification methods at Novo.[4]
- Co-created Insulin Novo (1925), the company's first commercial insulin product.[6]
- Promoted staff welfare and social reform within Novo's management structure.[2]
- Served as chair of the Novo Foundation from its creation in 1951 and as a life member of its board.[1]
Family
Pedersen married Elisa Mathilde Lyngbye Aggerholm on 28 March 1923.[2] He died in Gentofte on 19 September 1961 and was buried at Ordrup Cemetery (Ordrup kirkegård).[2]
Legacy
Pedersen led laboratory chemical and analytical work at Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium after 1925; together with his brother he co-founded the company, which first competed with Nordisk and later became part of Novo Nordisk after their 1989 merger.[1][2][7]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Our History". Novo Nordisk Foundation. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Bærentsen, Kurt (18 July 2011). "Thorvald Pedersen". Dansk Biografisk Leksikon (lex.dk) (in Danish). Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ Sonne, Ole (2020). "Nobelprisen i Fysiologi eller Medicin 1920 til August Krogh [The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1920 to August Krogh]" (PDF). Dansk Medicinhistorisk Årbog (in Danish): 153. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ a b c "Novo Nordisk". Defining Moments Canada. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ Larsen, E. H. (17 December 2001). "August Krogh og Dyrefysiologisk Laboratorium i Ny Vestergade 11 [August Krogh and the laboratory of animal physiology situated at Ny Vestergade 11]". Ugeskrift for Læger (in Danish). 163 (51): 7240–7248. PMID 11797555. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ a b Schmidt-Nielsen, Bodil (1995). August and Marie Krogh: Lives in Science. American Physiological Society and Oxford University Press. p. 295. ISBN 9781461475309. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ "From insulin to Ozempic, history of Novo Nordisk's CEOs". Reuters. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 1 November 2025.