Novo Nordisk and Oxford University to Further Enhance Diabetes Research

Oxford University and Novo Nordisk announce the establishment of an international fellowship programme that aims to support the career and scientific development of young, exceptional research talent within diabetes. 

“We are honoured to establish the International PostDoctoral Fellowship Programme with Oxford University, which has such valuable expertise in the study and treatment of diabetes. By combining our company’s discovery and clinical development strengths with the research expertise and academic tradition of Oxford University, we can support the development of a new generation of exceptional diabetes researchers to eventually drive innovation further and improve the lives of the patients,” said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief science officer at Novo Nordisk.

As part of the agreement, a total of 12 young leading researchers will be offered a 3-year grant to support their research within the fields of diabetes, metabolism and endocrinology. The goal of the new programme is to support the development of a new generation of research leaders while further developing scientific excellence within diabetes. 

“This new programme will support the best young researchers doing novel work in the understanding of diabetes and its treatment. It is these early career researchers that will produce the new ideas, discoveries and advances that will improve diabetes treatment and care in the future. We’re delighted to partner with Novo Nordisk to provide this level of funding and support which will be important in enabling both their research and their career development,” said Professor Hugh Watkins of the Radcliffe Department of Medicine at Oxford University.

A joint steering committee with members from both Oxford University and Novo Nordisk will oversee the programme and assess research proposals from scientists at both organisations. 

The first four fellows in the programme will start in the autumn of 2014.