What is the play "The Golden Calf" about?

"The Golden Calf" is a play that tells the story of the rise of Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, from its founding in 1923 to its current status as a global drug giant.

What are Novo Nordisk's key drugs discussed?

The play highlights Novo Nordisk's GLP-1 drugs, specifically Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for diabetes treatment.

What ethical questions does the play raise about Novo Nordisk?

The play explores the balance between the company's profit motives and its goal of helping people, particularly concerning the production and accessibility of its widely promoted GLP-1 drugs.

Home / Business and Economy / Danish Theatre Stages Novo Nordisk's Rise to Power

Danish Theatre Stages Novo Nordisk's Rise to Power

30 Jan

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Summary

Play "The Golden Calf" chronicles Novo Nordisk's $200 billion rise.
The company's evolution into a global behemoth is explored.
Ethical questions surrounding drug production and patient health arise.

Danish Theatre Stages Novo Nordisk's Rise to Power

A new play titled "The Golden Calf" is set to premiere on Saturday outside Copenhagen, Denmark, chronicling the remarkable journey of Novo Nordisk. Founded in 1923 as Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium by the Danish couple August and Marie Krogh, the company has grown into a $200 billion pharmaceutical giant.

The production explores the company's transformation into a global leader, particularly through its influential GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for diabetes treatment. These medications have proven effective but raise complex ethical dilemmas.

"The Golden Calf" examines the core questions surrounding the company's motives: whether its primary goal is profit or aiding those in need. Director Nicolei Faber highlighted the play's focus on the founders and the subsequent "snowball" effect that led to Novo Nordisk's immense success, emphasizing the production was developed independently.