Novo Nordisk plans bigger play in rare diseases segment in India

Danish pharmaceutical multinational Novo Nordisk is expanding its presence in inherited blood disorder treatments (hemoglobinopathies) in India. The company’s focus include rare diseases like thalassemia and sickle cell disease, says Ludovic Helfgott, Executive Vice-President and Head, Product & Portfolio Strategy, Novo Nordisk.

In an interaction with Fortune India, Helfgott said the company has for long been present in haemophilia and is now expanding its presence in the rare disease space, particularly in rare blood and endocrine disorders.

“We are increasingly active in the field of hemoglobinopathies. Prime Minister Modi has been very clear about his commitment to eradicating, or at least significantly reducing, sickle cell disease and thalassemia. We have a robust portfolio that includes established modes of action as well as complementary mechanisms, such as PKR activators”, he said.

According to Helfgott, Novo Nordisk is opening specialised centres for the treatment of such diseases in India. “We have already opened one in Rajasthan this year, and we plan to open five more in 2026 to support families and patients living with sickle cell disease. This support will also extend to thalassemia, which is part of our portfolio”, he said.

Taken together, there are close to one million patients with sickle cell disease in India. However, only about 150,000 to 200,000 patients with beta thalassemia are currently diagnosed, and this number is likely underestimated due to under diagnosis. “This represents a public health emergency, and we are fully committed to supporting India and Indian patients in the field of hemoglobinopathies”, Helfgott added.

The company has forged partnerships with the Central and State governments for this purpose. “The centres we are establishing are being developed in partnership with the government. We also have additional collaborations with government bodies, and we plan to open a centre in Delhi next year. All of this is being done in close collaboration with the government”, he said.

Helfgott has been heading the rare disease division of Novo Nordisk before he was assigned a broader role in the company. “I have been doing that for six years, essentially creating a biotech within the company. It was a dedicated unit, spanning from early research to commercial, fully dedicated globally to rare disease and blood and endocrine areas”, he said, adding; “India is one of our most vibrant and high-performing teams when it comes to rare diseases like haemophilia, and increasingly, haemoglobinopathies”.