Novo Chairman’s Power Grab Leaves No Doubt About Who’s in Charge

If there was any doubt about who truly runs Danish weight-loss drugmaker Novo Nordisk A/S, Lars Rebien Sorensen just settled it.

The former chief executive is stepping back into the limelight after almost a decade pulling the strings behind the scenes. He’s taking on the role of chairman amid a boardroom rupture over the speed of change at the company that’s quickly recasting itself after its rapid growth slowed.

Lars Rebien Sorensen

Source: Novo Nordisk Foundation

Already chairman of the Novo Nordisk Foundation — the drugmaker’s controlling shareholder — Sorensen now holds sway over both the company and the powerful entity that has more than ...