Home About us Dansk Search Menu LEO Foundation Our purpose Our ownership Our history Our values Our key figures Organisation How we work Let’s pave the way for curing skin diseases The LEO Foundation is one of Denmark’s largest commercial foundations and an engaged owner of the pharmaceutical company LEO Pharma. The Foundation’s main objective is to ensure the company’s long-term development and success as a global leader in dermatology, delivering outstanding results. Besides the ownership, the Foundation provides philanthropic grants with the aim to support the best international research in skin diseases and make Denmark a global beacon for skin research. In addition, the Foundation manages financial assets of around DKK 16bn (~ EUR 2.1bn). These assets are invested with the main objectives of ensuring the continued capability to support LEO Pharma’s long-term development and provide funds for philanthropic activities. The LEO Foundation was established in 1984 by Knud E. Abildgaard, who at the time was the owner and CEO of LEO Pharma. Until 2021, the Foundation was the sole owner of LEO Pharma. In 2021, the Foundation welcomed Nordic Capital as a minority shareholder and partner to the Foundation, who remains the company’s long-term controlling owner. The partnership with Nordic Capital will further support LEO Pharma’s development and strengthen its position in medical dermatology. Not just numbers, but figures that matter 1984 year founded 72 DKK million (~EUR 10m) in grants, 2020 16 DKK billion (~EUR 2.1bn) in financial assets, 2020 586 DKK million (~EUR 58m) in grants and awards to skin research since 2016 119 number of grants and awards since 2016 17 countries who have received grants All key figures Annual Reports We strive to improve the understanding and treatment of skin diseases The skin is the largest organ of the body. At any point in time, one in every four persons will suffer from a skin disease, which is often visible and stigmatising – and in some cases completely debilitating. Much more research is required to provide better diagnoses, treatments and perhaps even cures for the millions of people living with skin diseases. What we fund We create sustainable value for people and society through engaged ownership, philanthropy and investments Engaged ownership By being an engaged owner of LEO Pharma and supporting the company’s development as a global leader in dermatology, delivering outstanding results. Our ownership Philanthropy By supporting the best international research in skin diseases and making Denmark a global beacon for skin research. Explore grants Investments By growing our financial assets to ensure continued capability to support LEO Pharma’s long-term development and provide funds for philanthropic activities. Learn how LEO Pharma The LEO Foundation is the controlling owner of the pharmaceutical company LEO Pharma A/S. Founded in 1908, LEO Pharma develops, manufactures and sells pharmaceutical drugs globally to patients suffering from skin diseases. In accordance with the charter, the primary purpose and objective of the Foundation is to ensure the continuance of LEO Pharma. Learn more 400 years of history From the first Lion Pharmacy in 1620 to global dermatological front-runner in 2020. The LEO Foundation was established in 1984 by Dr.h.c. Knud E. Abildgaard, who at the time was the owner and CEO of LEO Pharma. He did so to ensure LEO Pharma its future as an independent, research-based pharmaceutical company. Abildgaard took over the company in 1939 after the company’s founder, Abildgaard’s father-in-law, pharmacist August Kongsted, passed away. Kongsted had established LEO Pharma in his Copenhagen pharmacy – the Lion Pharmacy – in 1908. Using the latest advances in industrial processes, he set up pharmaceutical production in the basement of his shop. Apart from heading his own venture, Kongsted also helped set up Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium (later to evolve into Novo Nordisk). During Abildgaard’s ownership and management, LEO Pharma grew into an international, expansive and innovative organisation with sales and production around the world. In the 1970s, Abildgaard announced plans to secure the continuation of his life’s work through the creation of a foundation. He intended to have LEO Pharma stay independent and able to further strengthen its position as a successful, international pharmaceutical company. His plans crystalized in 1984, when he and his wife donated their shares in LEO Pharma to the LEO Foundation. While the foundation’s primary objective was to secure the long-term success of independence of LEO Pharma, it should also support independent research within the fields of medicine, chemistry and/or pharmacy through philanthropic grants. Knud Abildgaard and his wife both passed away in 1986. With the LEO Foundation’s long-term perspective and ownership, LEO Pharma has been able to evolve into a leading provider of dermatology care solutions to millions of patients across the world. Download the history in 18 different languages Our values reflect our heritage and aspirations Integrity We are transparent and responsible in all our actions and stand accountable for what we say and do. Dedication We take a long-term view and are committed to making a sustained difference within the areas we engage in. Ambition We set the bar high and have the courage to explore new ways to benefit the development of society. Figures that matter Get an insight into the Foundation’s key figures on grants and awards, administration costs etc. Key figures The LEO Foundation awards DKK 14 million to five new skin research projects Read article Award winner with a curious mind combines sophisticated technology with excellent skin research Read article The latest on Twitter RT @skinucph: Are you a #PhD student interested in innate immune responses and host-pathogen interactions? We now offer up to five spots fo… Read more 6 days ago RT @phd_positionsdk: Postdoc in bioinformatics to understand T cell driven diseases in human skin at the LEO Foundation Skin Immunology Res… Read more 2 weeks ago RT @skinucph: So pleased to welcome young talented students specializing in #biotech for a mini course in #skin #immunology for the first t… Read more 3 weeks ago Follow us on Twitter Apply for a grant About the foundation LEO Foundation Lautrupsgade 7, 5. DK 2100 Copenhagen Ø Denmark CVR no.: 11 62 33 36 Privacy policy Cookie policy Whistleblower Contact us Telephone +45 32 72 51 10 General enquiries info@leo-foundation.org Grants and applications applications@leo-foundation.org Follow us