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Novo Nordisk is offering three Golden Tickets for 2026, applications now open!

Sponsored by Novo Nordisk’s R&D External Innovation unit, applications are now open for the 2026 Golden Ticket Innovation Call with LabCentral in Cambridge, MA. 2026 marks the eighth year that Novo Nordisk and LabCentral are working together to support the life sciences ecosystem in Boston. The value of a Golden Ticket pre-pays the cost of a $50,000 credit at LabCentral’s 700 Main Street facility in Cambridge, MA, and includes access to LabCentral’s shared infrastructure and services.

Through winning a Golden Ticket, your company will become part of a vibrant science community, working alongside some of Boston’s most promising biotech startups. With a Golden Ticket, you will also have a direct connection to one of Novo Nordisk’s External Innovation Partners within the R&D External Innovation unit (based in Cambridge, Mass.) for ongoing scientific and drug development advice.

Who can apply:

We invite individuals, teams, and organizations from across the innovation ecosystem to submit proposals. Note: to receive a Golden Ticket at LabCentral, you must be based locally to Cambridge, Mass., or be willing to relocate, and fit the Lab Central criteria (https://www.labcentral.org/about/golden-tickets).

Terms and conditions and eligibility for the Novo Nordisk 2026 Golden Ticket can be found here.

Apply via a simple two-step process:

Submit an application via this form and send a pitch deck to partnerships@labcentral.org

You do not need to be based locally for consideration for a collaboration, but this innovation call is open to U.S.-based companies only.

Focus Areas:

• Cardiometabolic diseases

o Diabetes

o Obesity

o Cardiovascular Disease

o MASH/NASH

• Rare Disease

o Rare blood diseases

o Endocrine disorders

Proposal evaluation

Proposals will be assessed by:

• Quality, feasibility, and scale of the proposed solution or technology

• Differentiation of solution within the competitive landscape

• Unique technical features of the product or service

• Proposed benefits to stakeholders

• Capability of the team to develop and execute the solution

Important dates:

Application Open: July 9, 2026

Applications Reviewed: Starting July 31, 2026

Semi-Finalists Informed: September 10th, 2026

Pitch: In-person pitch competition at LabCentral Cambridge on Thursday, September 17th, 2026

Date to be determined for Office Hours at LabCentral to talk science with the Novo Nordisk team. Check back later this month! 

About Novo Nordisk R&D External Innovation

The R&D External Innovation unit at Novo Nordisk, based around the world, is a cross-disciplinary global external innovation unit designed to accelerate therapeutic progress and to pioneer a better future in human health through co-creation of R&D partnerships.

Our team drives a global portfolio of externally anchored projects, working with partners across the life sciences ecosystem, including: academia, biotech, venture capital, accelerators, and research hospitals. Our focus is on accelerating innovation within Novo Nordisk’s key therapy areas.

About LabCentral

A private, non-profit institution, LabCentral is a launchpad for high potential life-sciences and biotech startups with 243,000 square feet of space across Kendall Square in Cambridge, Mass., and the Harvard University campus.

 Founded in 2013, LabCentral offers a full complement of programming and networking to life sciences entrepreneurs in addition to fully permitted laboratory and office space for early-stage and growing life sciences companies. More information is available at www.labcentral.org.