Novo Nordisk named Maziar Mike Doustdar as its new chief executive on Tuesday, relying on an experienced company insider to revive sales and a share price hit by worries the maker of weight-loss drug Wegovy is falling behind in a race it started.

Novo Nordisk today announced that Maziar Mike Doustdar has been appointed as president and chief executive officer, effective 7 August 2025. Mike Doustdar succeeds Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, who will step down as president and chief executive officer on the same date.

Novo Nordisk has named Maziar Mike Doustdar, currently the company’s EVP of international operations, as the new CEO. Doustdar will succeed Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, whose surprise abdication was announced in May. Doustdar will assume the chief executive post on Aug. 7, a day after Novo reports its half-year performance, the company said Tuesday.