Subsidiaries

Lundbeckfonden is a group with three subsidiaries, all deeply rooted in Denmark but each among the world leaders in their fields.

In a manner of speaking, the foundation was born with the pharmaceuticals company H. Lundbeck A/S, when Grete Lundbeck, widow of the company’s founder Hans Lundbeck, established Lundbeckfonden in 1954. The foundation was named sole heir in Grete Lundbeck’s will. Today, Lundbeckfonden owns 69% of Lundbeck’s shares.

Since 2005, Lundbeckfonden has owned a 40% shareholding in the allergy company ALK-Abelló A/S. In 2011, the foundation bought into Falck A/S, provider of security and emergency services, and today owns 59% of the company.

Lundbeckfonden aims to be a good, active owner, with respect for all shareholders. One example of our active ownership is that the foundation’s CEO is vice-chair of the three subsidiaries’ boards of directors.

“Active ownership is important to us because we feel a responsibility to encourage the companies to optimise and supply the best they can. As a matter of principle, out of consideration for minority shareholders, we hold ourselves at arm’s length but, at the same time, we need to be close enough to the company to be able to make the right ownership decisions, both in times of crisis and in times of prosperity.” Jørgen Huno Rasmussen, chairman of Lundbeckfonden’s board of directors 2012-2020.