Since being named executive vice president, North American operations and president of Novo Nordisk Inc. in 2017, Langa helped return growth to the Danish drugmaker’s largest sales region: the U.S. and Canada. While the company – which has its U.S. headquarters in Plainsboro – is recognized primarily as one of the world’s biggest insulin makers, it is making moves to advance into new therapy areas, like Alzheimer’s disease, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease.

Langa – who previously held positions at GlaxoSmithKline and Johnson & Johnson – has said he believes a “significant portion” of Novo Nordisk’s growth “will come from areas that we don’t even participate in today.” During an interview with Pharmaceutical Executive, Langa said, “We’re going to have to flex some new muscles, learn some new skills and take some more calculated risks in the process … Working out how we can be better and how we can be more successful involves risks. There are risks to the acquisitions we make. So, yes, I’ll be taking some more risks. I’ve no doubt the second chapter will lead to a few more.”

Semaglutide – the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug Wegovy and diabetes medications Ozempic and Rybelsus – has been a game changer for the 100-year-old pharmaceutical company. Since semaglutide is known to suppress appetites, the medications have become popular for weight loss, triggering ongoing shortages Novo Nordisk is still working to resolve.

Nonetheless, the company continues to ride a wave of demand for its blockbuster medications. Driven by its semaglutide franchise in North America and other international markets, Novo Nordisk’s sales grew 36% between 2022 and 2023, from $25 billion to $33.7 billion.