Strong foundation – with an eye for biotech

With a net worth of more than EUR 10 billion, the Lundbeck Foundation is one of Denmark's largest industrial foundations with a wide range of investments and grant activities worth more than EUR 70 million. The Foundation is also one of Denmark’s key investors in life science and biotech companies both in Europe and the US.

The Lundbeck Foundation selects its investment projects with a clear focus on solving unmet medical needs. All investments are characterized by high standards in terms of research, innovation and management and go through a thorough and comprehensive analytical process before being included in the portfolio.

Patience is key in order to be able to realize the potential inherent in many life science projects and Lundbeck Foundation’s venture capital activities are by design evergreen.

25 life science companies

Lundbeckfonden Ventures and Lundbeckfonden Emerge are the Foundation’s two venture fund units, managed by highly dedicated and experienced scientific and commercial teams who will be present at BIO-Europe in Copenhagen.

The two units have invested in more than 25 life science companies in which they are also actively involved at management level. Lundbeckfonden Emerge concentrates on projects with substantial commercial potential stemming from Danish science (from early discovery to clinical stage) whereas Lundbeckfonden Ventures invests in both the USA and Europe, in already established but still relatively new startups.

Ventures and Emerge are constantly on the lookout for new investment opportunities—preferably in collaboration with international co-investors.

Facts about the Lundbeck Foundation

The Lundbeck Foundation is a private, industrial foundation. The Foundation was established in 1954 by Grete Lundbeck, widow of the founder of the Danish pharmaceutical company H. Lundbeck A/S.

The Lundbeck Foundation is the proud majority owner of its three subsidiaries:

• H. Lundbeck A/S – a pharmaceutical company specializing in psychiatric and neurological disorders. The Foundation holds 69% of the shares.

• ALK-Abellò A/S – a pharmaceutical company focusing on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of allergies. The Foundation owns 40% of the shares and 67% of the voting rights

• Falck A/S – world leader in ambulance services. The Lundbeck Foundation owns 57% of the shares.

In 2017, the Lundbeck Foundation's group turnover amounted to EUR 4.72 billion, with an operating profit before special items of EUR 530 million.

Every year, the Lundbeck Foundation awards the prestigious international brain research prize—The Brain Prize—of EUR 1 million, to one or more scientists who have distinguished themselves by an outstanding contribution to neuroscience.

Lundbeck Fonden is a regional host sponsor of BIO-Europe® 2018. Meet them there November 5–7 in Copenhagen!