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OpenAI has announced a strategic partnership with pharma giant Novo Nordisk to use advanced AI for drug discovery, including analyzing complex datasets, identifying drug candidates and reducing the time from research to when a patient receives a medication.
Through the partnership, OpenAI will help "upskill" the pharma company's global workforce to improve its workers' AI literacy.
In addition, Novo Nordisk will use OpenAI's technology to improve manufacturing efficiency, corporate operations, and supply chain and distribution.
The pair said the partnership has been structured with strict data protection, human oversight and governance to ensure AI is used ethically and in compliance.
"This partnership is one important step in positioning Novo Nordisk to lead in the next era of healthcare. There are millions of people living with obesity and diabetes who need treatment options, and we know there are therapies still waiting to be discovered that could change their lives," Mike Doustdar, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk, said in a statement.
"Integrating AI in our everyday work gives us the ability to analyse datasets at a scale that was previously impossible, identify patterns we could not see, and test hypotheses faster than ever. This means discovering new therapies and bringing them to market faster than ever before."
The companies said pilot programs will begin in Novo Nordisk's research and development, commercial and manufacturing operations, with full integration of OpenAI's technology expected by the end of this year.
"AI is reshaping industries and in life sciences, it can help people live better, longer lives," Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, said in a statement. "This collaboration with Novo Nordisk will help them accelerate scientific discovery, run smarter global operations and redefine the future of patient care."
THE LARGER TREND
The global pharma giant has locations throughout North America, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, East Asia and Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia.
AI regulation remains fragmented across global markets.
In August 2024, the European Union's EU AI Act entered into force and is being phased in. It outlines regulations for the development, market placement, implementation and use of artificial intelligence in the European Union.
In the United States, there is no unified federal law that specifically regulates AI systems across all sectors; however, some states, such as California, New York and Colorado, have individual laws for AI regulations.
In December 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create a national AI policy framework to challenge fragmented state-level AI regulation and centralize AI regulation at the federal level. The aim was to limit state AI laws by using litigation, funding pressure and a push for national standards as Trump claimed some laws prohibited the advancement of innovation.
In March, Trump released a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence, a set of goals and recommendations for legislators that the White House said should streamline innovation while protecting families and communities and expanding workforce development, among other priorities.
The White House also said the Framework would help establish a national AI policy that prevents potentially conflicting state regulations.
In China, where Novo Nordisk has a significant presence, AI is regulated through multiple binding national regulations, including the Personal Information Protection Law, Generative AI measures, Algorithm Recommendation Regulations and others.
Healthcare AI regulation is also strongly governed in China through its medical device classification overseen by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).
