Lars Petersen’s story is one of purpose, grit and quiet conviction. After 25 years in big pharma with Novo Nordisk, Genentech, Roche and Biogen, he now leads FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, shaping a global CDMO known as much for its culture and innovation as for its scale.
The People first CEO of FUJIFILM Biotechnologies
When I sat down with Lars, I walked away with three big lessons.
What I Learnt
Lars’ personal connection to the industry runs deep. “I lost my father to cancer when I was 19. That gives you a purpose driven mindset,” he shared early in our conversation. That sense of purpose has fuelled his entire career.
He is a grafter at heart. Starting on the factory floor at Novo Nordisk, working with equipment and software, he learned the business from the bottom up. That hands on foundation has shaped how he leads today, practical, grounded and people focused.
And then there is culture. “Leadership is not something you are appointed to. It is something you take,” he told me. His belief in empowerment and trust runs through everything at FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, a company that is scaling fast without selling out its soul.
What I Liked
I really admired Lars’ openness in talking about the loss of his father and how that shaped his sense of purpose. He has clearly worked his way up through hard graft and earned every step. There is a real balance between his technical background and his focus on shaping culture and driving innovation. And, true to his roots, he carries that classic Danish confidence, understated, calm and quietly assured.
Reflection
What stayed with me most was his belief that culture should never be compromised. “I hope we get to the top without selling out our culture,” he said near the end. That line has stuck with me. In a world where growth often comes at the expense of values, Lars is proof that you can scale with integrity.
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Big thanks to our amazing sponsors Bora Pharmaceuticals, Charles River Laboratories, and Lead Candidate for supporting the pod 