Maziar Mike Doustdar
Maziar Mike Doustdar | |
|---|---|
Doustdar speaking at a Novo Nordisk event in 2024 | |
| Born | 29 August 1970 Iran |
| Other names | Mike Doustdar |
| Education | Webster University Vienna, Harvard Business School |
| Occupations | Business person, Chief Executive Officer |
| Employer | Novo Nordisk |
Maziar Mike Doustdar (born 29 August 1970) is an Austrian–Iranian business executive who has served as the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Novo Nordisk since 7 August 2025.[1][2][3] He is the first non-Danish person to lead the company since its founding in 1923.
Early life and education
Doustdar was born in Iran on 29 August 1970 and later grew up in the United States.[4][5] He studied international business at Webster University in Vienna, Austria, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1994. In 2012, he completed an executive programme at Harvard Business School.[6]
Career
Early career at Novo Nordisk
Doustdar joined Novo Nordisk in 1992 as an office clerk in Vienna.[6] Over the following decades, he held various positions in finance, logistics, operations, and marketing across multiple regions, including the Near East, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.[7]
International operations
In 2014, Doustdar was appointed executive vice president for International Operations, responsible for emerging markets outside Europe and North America.[6] Under his leadership, international sales more than doubled, reaching approximately DKK 112 billion in 2024, supported by a workforce of around 20,000 employees.[7]
CEO of Novo Nordisk
On 29 July 2025, Novo Nordisk announced Doustdar's appointment as president and CEO, succeeding Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, effective 7 August 2025.[1][2] His appointment coincided with the company lowering its financial growth outlook, which led to a decline in share price.[2][8]
As CEO, Doustdar initiated measures to improve efficiency, including a hiring freeze in non-critical areas and a sharper focus on the company's core therapeutic areas of diabetes and obesity.[9][10]
He also sits on the board of directors of Orion Corporation.[10]
Doustdar was included on the 2026 Time 100 list of most influential people in health for his work at Novo Nordisk.[11]
Personal life
Doustdar is married and has two sons.[4]
References
- ^ a b A/S, Novo Nordisk (29 July 2025). "Maziar Mike Doustdar appointed as president and chief executive officer of Novo Nordisk". GlobeNewswire News Room. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ a b c Gronholt-Pedersen, Jacob; Jacobsen, Stine; Fick, Maggie; Gronholt-Pedersen, Jacob; Fick, Maggie (29 July 2025). "Wegovy maker Novo's profit warning triggers $70 billion share rout". Reuters. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Maziar Mike Doustdar". www.efpia.eu. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ a b "DR's korrespondent har mødt den nye Novo-chef: Hastighed ligger til min personlighed" [DR's correspondent has met the new Novo boss: Speed is my personality]. DR (in Danish). 9 August 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ Liu, Angus (29 July 2025). "Novo Nordisk names new CEO as it cuts sales, profit outlook". www.fiercepharma.com. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ a b c "Maziar Mike Doustdar". Novo Nordisk. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Meet Mike Doustdar". Novo Nordisk. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ Pimentel, Benjamin (29 July 2025). "Novo Nordisk Falls On Lowered Guidance. Pharma Giant Names New CEO". Investor's Business Daily. Archived from the original on 29 July 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "'Execution, Execution, Execution': Novo's New CEO Doubles Down on Obesity, Diabetes and Trims Pipeline". BioSpace. 6 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Maziar Mike Doustdar". www.orionpharma.com. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ Gooch, Kelly (11 February 2026). "Time's 100 most influential people in health: 4 notes". Becker's Hospital Review | Healthcare News & Analysis. Retrieved 25 February 2026.