Novo Nordisk Foundation pledges $57 million to WHO amid US funding gap

The Novo Nordisk Foundation has pledged up to DKK 380 million ($57.76 million) to the World Health Organization (WHO) to expand its tie-up with the United Nations agency for another four years, the philanthropic body said on Wednesday.

WHO said on Tuesday it had secured over $170 million in new commitments from multiple countries and organizations, but did not disclose the amount contributed by the foundation, which owns a controlling stake in drugmaker Novo Nordisk.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The pledge comes at a time when the WHO faces a major funding shortfall with the planned withdrawal of the United States, its largest donor.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation said it is expanding its collaboration to focus on non-communicable diseases, antimicrobial resistance and health system resilience.

Novo Holdings, the foundation's investment arm, is one of the world's biggest philanthropic donors.

CONTEXT

The U.S. is set to exit the agency in 2026 following President Donald Trump's decision, announced on his first day in office.

In response, WHO has cut its 2026–2027 budget by 20% to $4.2 billion and will raise mandatory member contributions by 20%, with China becoming the top state donor.

KEY QUOTES

"WHO plays a unique role in the global health ecosystem, providing normative guidance, monitoring diseases, building country capacity for resilient health systems and supporting learning and evidence," said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of the foundation.