Official inauguration of BIOPRO

Today, BIOPRO was officially inaugurated by HRH Crown Prince Frederik and Minister for Business and Growth Annette Vilhelmsen.

The ceremony took place at Novo Nordisk's plant in Kalundborg with the participation of leading politicians and representatives from the companies and universities that have founded the BIOPRO partnership.

HRH Crown Prince Frederik and several other speakers stressed Denmark’s position in the international top league of biotech research and manufacturing.

However, this position should not be taken for granted, and BIOPRO is an important initiative towards maintaining Denmark’s edge in this sector.

The inauguration attracted 150 participants. First row from left: Corporate Vice President Eva Smedegaard, Novo Nordisk, Morten Roland Hansen, P.A. to HRH Crown Prince Frederik, CEO Kim Ove Olsen, CAT, Executive Vice President Thomas Dalsgaard, DONG Energy, HRH Crown Prince Frederik, Minister for Business and Growth Annette Wilhelmsen, Senior Vice President Per Valstorp, Novo Nordisk, Rector Ralf Hemmingsen, University of Copenhagen, and, Director for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Marianne Thellersen, Technical Universoty of Denmark.

Novozymes CEO Steen Riisgaard and Executive Vice President Thomas Dalsgaard, DONG Energy, spoke on behalf of the industrial Partners.

Annette Vilhelmsen stressed the need for

further research with the aim of maintaining

Denmark’s edge in the biotech sector.

”I understand that BIOPRO will find new ways of reducing consumption of energy and raw materials while optimising yields. It’s an ambitious and brilliant goal because it implies environmental and competitive perspectives”, The Crown Prince said.

Minister for Business and Growth Annette Vilhelmsen welcomed the BIOPRO initiative:

“I will look forward to following your work and believe that it will make its mark on the world map.”

After the official inauguration The Crown Prince, the Minister and other VIPs were introduced to Novo Nordisk’s production facilities.

Managing Director Jesper Bryde-Jacobsen, BIOPRO:

“Today was an important day for BIOPRO. We will now commence our work in the project groups and do our utmost to achieve our goals.”

Senior Vice President Per Valstorp, Novo Nordisk
(far right) with HRH The Crown Prince and Minister for Business and Growth Annette Wilhelmsen during the visit to the insulin
plant.

Rector Ralf Hemmingsen quoted the Hungarian-British writer Arthur Koestler: “The more original a discovery, the more obvious it seems afterwards”, thus making reference to the future work of BIOPRO.

You can download photos here