LEO - a King of the Pharma Industry

The Danish, Ballerup based ,LEO Pharma with plants in Denmark, France and Ireland (400 people in Crumlin, Dublin and 40 in Cork) have unveiled remarkable results for 2005 today.

With Sales of Danish Kroner (DKK) 4.87 Mn. an increase of 11% on 2004, profits increased from DKK 1.1 Mn. to DKK 2.5 Mn. , a 71% increase on 2004. This represents a return of 17% on Group equity of DKK 13 Mn.

The company spent the year concentrating on healthcare products and the continuing disposal of non core / non human business interests ;

# 1998 Divestment of the Medico business unit
# 1999 Merger of Løven Petfood A/S and Arovit A/S
# 2000 Sale of shares in Arovit A/S
# 2000 Divestment of the Agro business unit
# 2005 Divestment of Panther Plast
# 2005 Divestment of Animal Health (cat and dog products)
# 2006 Divestment of Animal Health (large animal products)

During 2005 the LEO Group strengthened its R&D pipeline spending 17% of Turnover on Research and Development , and at the end of 2005 LEO Pharma has a very strong portfolio of R&D projects:

Dermatology

* Duac™/Clindoxyl™ for treatment of acne – will be launched in the Nordic countries in 2006
* Taclonex® ointment for treatment of psoriasis – will be launched in the US in 2006 by Warner Chilcott (Bristol Myers Squibb)
* LEO 80185 is under development - for treatment of scalp and body psoriasis
* LEO 80190 is under development - for treatment of facial psoriasis
* LEO 19123 is under development - for treatment of eczema

Critical Care

* ATryn® is under development – for treatment of antithrombin deficiencies
* LEO 15520 is under development – for treatment of inflammations

Generally LEO Pharma is working on a number of promising discovery projects; both within dermatology and Critical Care.

History


LEO was founded by August Kongsted in 1908 and his successors owned LEO for 75 years.

In 1983, Dr. Knud Abildgaard and his wife, Gertrud Abildgaard, created the LEO Foundation. After their death in 1986, the LEO Foundation became sole owner of LEO.

With this move, the Abildgaards created a solid footing for LEO, making the company totally independent of outside capital and therefore able to commit to its long-term objectives.

The LEO Foundation ensures that all the company's earnings remain in LEO for investment in future research and thus the development of new and even better drugs.

Would that all drug companies were like LEO.