Kalundborg: A Town Transformed by Pharma Investment Faces Modern Challenges

Kalundborg, Denmark, a burgeoning center for drug production with significant financial backing from Novo Nordisk, struggles with vital community challenges that affect its appeal for long-term residents.

Kalundborg, a quaint coastal town in Denmark with a population of 16,000, is positioned as a modern hub of opportunity, particularly tied to the booming pharmaceutical industry and the weight-loss medication Wegovy. The town has garnered considerable investment, exceeding £6 billion ($8.5 billion), from parent company Novo Nordisk, which is responsible for manufacturing semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and the diabetes medication Ozempic.

However, attracting permanent residents to this investment-laden town has proven challenging. Daily life resembles a bustling assembly line with workers flocking to the Novo Nordisk factory each morning only to leave in droves each evening, a phenomenon that many locals have dubbed the "Novo Queue." Residents suggest traveling at different times to avoid the bustling road traffic, indicating the town itself is often more of a workplace than a community.

Despite the impressive investment per capita—over £400,000 per resident—the town battles underwhelming conditions, including dilapidated schools, lower-than-average state school grades in Danish and math, and a growing obesity issue among the youth. Regional councillor Helle Laursen Petersen expresses concern that the perception of guaranteed factory jobs may lead parents to devalue the importance of higher education for their children.

Local students express mixed feelings about their future in Kalundborg. While some envision their lives in larger cities, others, like Ali and Marie, harbor hopes of returning to a town that might provide more job prospects and leisure opportunities as they mature. Yet, local business dynamics reveal a stark contrast; while lunchtime establishments thrive on the influx of factory employees, retail shops selling clothing and shoes often flounder due to transient consumer patterns.

Kalundborg is also facing socioeconomic challenges, as many families struggle with low income, partly due to the soaring living costs in nearby Copenhagen. The town has been flagged for having a worrying obesity rate among its children, landing it in the top 5% of town rankings on this health metric.

Nevertheless, Novo Nordisk is riding high, as it transformed into Europe's most lucrative company with revenues exceeding $33 billion last fiscal year, signifying its vital role in Denmark's economic landscape. The company aims to generate an additional 1,250 jobs at the Kalundborg facility as part of its expansion plans. However, with this reliance on the pharmaceutical sector, some analysts caution about the risk of an economy too closely tied to one industry.

Kalundborg's mayor, Martin Damm, remains optimistic, asserting that the town is on the verge of growth and that it is increasingly attracting people who seek out job opportunities. A recent influx of international students and residents hints at a more diverse community, including young adults like Miguel from Madrid and Amanda from Brazil, both of whom are eager to settle down and thrive in this evolving town.

With the introduction of new infrastructure, including a highway intended to alleviate traffic congestion, the prospect of Kalundborg becoming a desirable living space hinges on its ability to evolve beyond being merely a gateway to employment at Novo Nordisk. As expressed by students at the local Gymnasium, many hope the future fosters a more vibrant and multicultural community – one in which they may consider returning after their studies.