Novo Nordisk has introduced its new corporate identity as ‘Novo’ in Malaysia, with the rebrand coming as the country continues to face a significant burden from chronic diseases.
The healthcare company said its new positioning, ‘Lasting Health Starts Now’, aims to bring healthcare and scientific advances closer to people’s everyday lives, with greater emphasis on prevention, primary care and whole-person health.
The move comes after the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 found that 54.4% of Malaysian adults were overweight or living with obesity while 15.6% had diabetes. Ischaemic heart disease was also the leading cause of medically certified deaths in 2024.
Senior Consultant Endocrinologist and Head of Endocrine Unit at Universiti Malaya Professor Dr Jeyakantha Ratnasingam said obesity and diabetes often come with interconnected risks involving blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol and excess body fat.
“The earlier people understand these risks and have the right conversations about their health, the greater the opportunity to take appropriate action and support better health over time,” he said.
Novo said the new identity reflects a broader approach to health that considers physical health alongside mental wellbeing, daily routines, relationships, social circumstances and the environments people live in.
Emeritus Professor of Endocrine Medicine at Universiti Malaya Dr Chan Siew Pheng said chronic diseases are managed between clinic visits, making factors such as diet, sleep, physical activity, stress and family circumstances important to long-term health.
“Helping people understand their health before complications arise gives us a better opportunity to support meaningful change and sustainable progress,” she said.
Alongside the rebrand, Novo is introducing ‘The Novo Way’, a corporate culture built around customer focus, competitiveness, clarity, care and integrity.
The company said Novo Nordisk A/S remains its legal global name, while the shorter ‘Novo’ will be used on a day-to-day basis globally.
The new identity will be progressively introduced across its communications and stakeholder touchpoints in Malaysia.
