LEO Foundation

The LEO Foundation is one of Denmark’s largest enterprise 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. In addition to its ownership role, the LEO Foundation is one of the largest private funders of independent skin research at universities and hospitals worldwide. The Foundation provides philanthropic grants to support research that pioneers new discoveries and transforms our understanding of the skin and its diseases. Over the years, the LEO Foundation has awarded around DKK 1.5 billion to independent research. The Foundation also manages financial assets of around DKK 18.3bn. 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 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.