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Key people at ALK Abelló.
Originally founded in 1923 by physician Kaj Baagøe and pharmacist Poul Richard Hansen, ALK Abelló is a global pharmaceutical company specializing in the research, development, and manufacturing of allergy immunotherapy treatments and diagnostic solutions. Backed by controlling shareholder, the Lundbeck Foundation, the firm is currently led by Chief Executive Officer Peter Halling, who succeeded former executive Carsten Hellmann in 2023. Based in Hørsholm, Denmark, and publicly traded on the Nasdaq Copenhagen exchange under the ticker ALK-B, the enterprise operates with over 2,800 employees globally. The corporation reported record annual revenues exceeding 4.8 billion DKK in 2023, generating income through the commercial sale of prescription sublingual tablets, drops, and adrenaline auto-injectors. Beyond its core clinical offerings, the organization recently celebrated its 100th anniversary and continues to engage consumers directly through its digital allergy platform klarify.me.
Key people at ALK Abelló.
ALK-Abelló is a Danish biopharmaceutical company specializing in allergy immunotherapy treatments. It develops and markets products like sublingual tablets (SLIT) and subcutaneous injections to treat allergies, serving patients worldwide through healthcare providers and addressing the growing global burden of allergic diseases such as hay fever, pet allergies, and asthma.[3][4]
The company solves the problem of long-term allergy management by offering disease-modifying therapies that build tolerance to allergens, rather than just symptomatic relief. With a history of innovation, including the world's first SLIT-tablet in 2006, ALK-Abelló has shown strong growth momentum through product launches like SQ Cat Hair in the US market via its 1984-established subsidiary and ongoing expansions in immunotherapy.[2][3][4]
ALK-Abelló traces its roots to June 8, 1923, when Danish doctor Kaj Baagøe and pharmacist Peter Barfod founded the company through a collaboration to advance allergy treatments.[1][3] Initially focused on allergen extracts, it evolved significantly in 1992 with a merger with Spanish rival Abelló, forming ALK-Abelló and expanding its European footprint.[3][4]
Key pivotal moments include the 1984 establishment of its US subsidiary to introduce the SQ product line, starting with SQ Cat Hair, and the 2006 launch of the world's first sublingual allergy immunotherapy tablet, marking a shift to more patient-friendly oral treatments.[2][3][4]
ALK-Abelló rides the wave of rising allergy prevalence driven by environmental factors, urbanization, and climate change, which amplify pollen seasons and allergen exposure. Its timing aligns with biopharma shifts toward precision immunotherapy amid demand for non-pharmacological, long-term solutions over antihistamines.[3][4]
Market forces like aging populations and increased healthcare access in Europe and the US favor its expansion, influencing the ecosystem by setting standards for SLIT adoption and inspiring competitors in biologics.[2] As a biotech pioneer rather than tech startup, it bridges traditional pharma with modern patient-centric delivery, contributing to the immunotherapy trend in respiratory health.
ALK-Abelló is poised for growth through new SLIT indications, geographic expansions, and potential partnerships in biologics, capitalizing on unmet needs in food allergies and severe asthma. Trends like personalized medicine and digital health integration (e.g., adherence apps) will shape its trajectory, potentially amplifying its influence as immunotherapy becomes mainstream.
From its 1923 doctor-pharmacist origins to today's global leader, ALK-Abelló exemplifies enduring innovation in tackling allergies at their root.[1][3]
