| Facts about ALK
Pharmaceutical company, world leader in allergy vaccines. Turnover: approx. DKK 2 billion. ALK's history dates back to 1923 when the first allergen extracts were produced. Breakthrough was made in 2006 when the company launched GRAZAX – the first registered allergy tablet for treatment of grass pollen allergy. Approx. 1,500 employees worldwide – about 500 of them work in Denmark. |
| ALK milestones 2009
Strategic partnership with Merck, the world's largest pharmaceutical company, regarding the tablet programme in North America. Approval of GRAZAX as a disease modifying allergy treatment. Opening of new headquarters, Skovhuset, in the science park, gathering all Danish employees in one physical location. |
Jens Bager, CEO of ALK, sees the opening of the American market as the greatest challenge for ALK in 2010.
A unified and stronger ALK prepares for the USA
Despite the global economic recession, ALK looks back at 2009 as an eventful and good year that included the unification of the company in the science park and the opening of their new headquarters, Skovhuset. Jens Bager, CEO of ALK, looks at 2010 through the new windows.How do you see the way forward for your company in the year to come?
'No Danish company is unaffected by what began as a financial crisis and ended as a global economic recession. We are, however, fortunate to be relatively unaffected ourselves, as our customers need their allergy treatment, and for the majority, the costs for this treatment is reimbursed.
'Unfortunately, allergiy is a growing problem, but at the same time, this means favourable conditions for growth within ALK, as our vaccines treat the patients' underlying cause of allergy.
In that way, we find ourselves in a sweet spot in relation to the market, because society today prefers to invest in an actual cure of the patients. Our products have a documented sustained effect, and by launching our tablets, we are able to help even more patients with the treatment of their allergies. That is also why I'm convinced, that in ten years, ALK will be even bigger and stronger in the market for allergy treatment'.
What are ALK's challenges in 2010?
'In general, our challenge is to increase the knowledge of our new products and our way to treat allergy-related diseases. In this area, we have some ambitious plans for Europe.
'The greatest challenge, however, is the introduction of tablets on the American market. In 2009 we entered a strategic partnership with Merck – the world's largest pharmaceutical company – and we have put a lot of resources and efforts into that partnership.
'We expect a great deal from this in 2010, and in particular when it comes to our allergy tablet, GRAZAX, which we would like to introduce on the American market in the course of two years.
'Internally, we will increase our activities within R&D again this year. This is mainly due to our partnership with Merck and as a support to the launch in North America over the next couple of years'.
What does ALK gain from being located in the science park?
'The physical location is one thing. We are located in attractive and scenic surroundings in Northern Zealand where the majority of our employees live or would like to live. This is an advantage to us in relation to our employer branding and has had a noticeable effect.
'Besides the advantage of not having to queue on the motorway due to our location, Søhuset is another giant asset to the company and the employees as it provides meeting facilities, fitness, social events etc. The science park offers a positive environment with many other biotech and research companies. It presents a basis for professional collaboration as well as exchange of experience between employees. We have also seen several examples of employee exchange – both outgoing and incoming'.
What do you wish for 2010 in particular?
'For Scion DTU I simply wish that they continue their good work. We have seen some excellent initiatives and it is all a positive add-on for us as a modern company. ALK has many activities planned for 2010 and many milestones to reach, and our ambitions are very high. If only 80% of our expectations are met, I will tick off 2010 as an absolute success'.