History

The Foundation was established in 1954 by Grete Lundbeck, a visionary businesswoman and widow of the founder of H. Lundbeck A/S, Hans Lundbeck. Over the years, she donated the shares she had inherited from her husband to the Foundation and, when she died in 1965, the Foundation was sole heir to her assets. 

Portrait Hans Lundbeck
Hans Lundbeck

1915

H. Lundbeck & Co. is founded.

Portrait Grete Lundbeck
Grete Lundbeck

1954

The Lundbeck Foundation was formally established on 4 March 1954, when Grete Lundbeck, as the majority shareholder and chair of the Board of Trustees, signed the statutes.

The Lundbeck Foundation's statute was changed in 1991 in connection with the foundation being merged with the Grete and Hans Lundbeck's Scholarship.

Lundbeckfonden

1967

The Lundbeck Foundation becomes the sole owner of Lundbeck.

Chr. Hansen

1989 

The Lundbeck Foundation buys the controlling shareholding in Chr. Hansens Laboratorium A/S. The Foundation grants 26 DKKm. 

Lundbeck

1999

H. Lundbeck A/S is listed. The Lundbeck Foundation's shareholding is deducted to 70%. The Foundation grants 22 DKKm.

ALK

2005

Divestment of the ingredients part of Chr. Hansen Holding. The allergy part, ALK, is retained. The Foundation grants 222 DKKm.

Lundbeckfonden Ventures

2009

Lundbeckfonden Ventures is established as an international ever-green venture fund investing in life science.

Falck

2010 / 2011

Acquisition of the controlling shareholding of Falck A/S. The Foundation grants 504 DKKm.

The Brain Prize

2011

The Brain Prize was awarded for the first time. The prestigious prize is a personal prize of 10 DKKm. It is the world's largest prize within neuroscience.

Lundbeckfonden Emerge

2012

Lundbeckfonden Emerge is established as the early-stage investment unit focusing on investments in Danishbased research.

Lundbeckfonden BioCapital

2022

Lundbeckfonden BioCapital is established. The unit combines the Foundation's existing portfolio of biotech companies. 

Ferrosan Medical Devices

2022

The Lundbeck Foundation buys 30% of the shares in Ferrosan Medical Devices.

Ellab

2023

The Lundbeck Foundation buys 34% of the shares in Ellab.

 


Read and download the Foundation's anniversary book

On the occasion of the Foundation’s 60th anniversary, historian, professor and DPhil Kurt Jacobsen, of the Copenhagen Business School, was given full access to all of the Foundation’s archives and free rein to pen the history of “The Lundbeck Foundation – the first 60 years”.

The book, which was published at the beginning of 2015, lays a strong foundation for the Foundation’s future activities, with respect for and understanding of the past. You can read the book here, and you are also welcome to download, copy and distribute it, free of charge.


 

Statutes

The statutes are the formal document describing the rules for a foundation’s financial and legal affairs. As such, this document contains details of the Foundation’s purpose, activities, management structure and grants. The statutes are the equivalent of an association’s articles of association.

Read the Foundation's statutes