Novo Nordisk Foundation Launches Denmark’s First AI Supercomputer to Accelerate Drug Discovery and Innovation
In a major step for Danish research and industry, the Novo Nordisk Foundation has introduced "Gefion," Denmark's first AI supercomputer, supported by an initial investment of DKK 600 million (approximately $87 million USD). This state-of-the-art system, developed in partnership with the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO), represents an ambitious public–private collaboration. EIFO contributed an additional DKK 100 million and holds a 15% stake in the Danish Centre for AI Innovation (DCAI), the organization established to operate Gefion.
Gefion is powered by NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD infrastructure, featuring 1,528 NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs and Quantum-2 InfiniBand networking, providing computational power for AI-driven projects in drug discovery, quantum computing, and the green energy transition. Hosted sustainably by Digital Realty, the supercomputer aligns with Denmark’s eco-conscious approach, operating on 100% renewable energy.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, DCAI CEO Nadia Carlsten, and His Majesty King Frederik X inaugurate Denmark's first AI supercomputer, Gefion, in a landmark activation ceremony in Copenhagen. Source: Novo Nordisk Foundation
Symbolically activated by His Majesty King Frederik X, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, and DCAI CEO Nadia Carlsten, Gefion is now entering a pilot phase, inviting select Danish institutions, startups, and public sector entities to explore AI’s potential. Initial pilot users include Denmark’s leading research institutions and innovative startups engaged in projects across molecular modeling, climate prediction, and advanced AI applications.
Strengthening Denmark's Global Competitive Edge
As emphasized by NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, Gefion marks a transformational leap for Denmark’s AI ecosystem, allowing researchers and industry leaders to address major challenges in life sciences, climate, and advanced computing. Danish Minister for Industry, Business, and Financial Affairs Morten Bødskov underscored the importance of Gefion as a driver of competitive advantage:
“Gefion will drive the advancement of the green transition, enable tailor-made solutions, and strengthen the competitive standing of our companies in the global market.”
CEO of DCAI, Nadia Carlsten, praised the speed and expertise involved in Gefion’s six-month development timeline, describing it as a “game-changer” for Danish innovation. In collaboration with NVIDIA teams, researchers will pursue flagship projects using platforms like BioNeMo for protein design and CUDA-Q for hybrid quantum computing.
Pioneering Pilot Projects
To harness Gefion’s capabilities, DCAI recently selected six pilot projects from over 50 submissions across Danish academia and industry. These projects will tackle data-intensive challenges, leveraging GPU acceleration for transformative outcomes:
- Quantum Algorithms for Molecular Recognition – University of Copenhagen
- CO₂ Reduction via Machine-Learned Force Fields – Technical University of Denmark
- Multimodal Genomic Foundation Model – University of Copenhagen
- AI-Enhanced Document Understanding for Precision Data Entry – Go Autonomous
- AI Care Companion via Video Pretraining – Teton and University of Copenhagen
- Intelligent Environmental Networks for Atmospheric Prediction – Danish Meteorological Institute
Advancing Denmark's AI Vision
Gefion’s operational status positions Denmark as a global leader in AI-driven research and innovation. Beyond specific breakthroughs, this AI supercomputer provides a foundational infrastructure for Danish researchers and enterprises to stay at the forefront of global technology. Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, sees this as part of a broader mission to drive sustainable advancements: “Establishing Gefion is a milestone... it creates new opportunities and can accelerate finding new solutions to pressing challenges facing not only our own countries but the planet.”
See also: 19 Companies Pioneering AI Foundation Models in Pharma and Biotech
Topics: AI & Digital
