Novo Nordisk to boost clinical trial transparency

Novo Nordisk has launched two websites dedicated to clinical trials and bioethics in an attempt to increase the transparency of the company’s dealings in these two areas.

Aimed at patients, doctors, experts and company investors, in addition to the general public, these websites will include information relating the firm’s guidelines for clinical trials and its global bioethical standards.

The first site will directly publish clinical trial results to members of the public, while the second will collate all available data regarding the firm’s stance on the bioethical issues arising from animal experimentation, clinical trials, gene technology, stem cell research and similar areas of concern.

Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, chief science officer at the firm, said: “We wanted to provide a full overview of Novo Nordisk’s approach and performance within bioethics.

“Bioethics is an integral aspect of our [research and development] activities.”

He noted that this site is the first published by a pharmaceutical firm dedicated solely to bioethics, as far as the company is aware, while its clinical trials site will cover a comprehensive overview of the its drug assessments ranging from phases II to IV.

In May 2007, Novo Nordisk signed a partnership agreement with Dong Energy to use wind turbines at its production sites in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the company.