Dear SIG participants and fellow friends of the enterprise foundations

It’s now time for a formal launch of our Special Interest Group (SIG) which will take place virtually Wednesday 15 April 14.00-16.00 on Zoom. We look much forward to seeing you there and to all the events ahead.

Special Interest Group (SIG) on Enterprise Foundations of the European Law Institute

Launch Event 15 April 14.00-16.00 on Zoom

Program

14.00 Welcome
Steen Thomsen, Anne Sanders and Mark Ørberg.

14.05 A new SIG on Enterprise Foundations
ELI President Prof Dr Teresa Rodríguez de las Heras Ballell.

14.15 Today’s theme: Research foundations
          Steen Thomsen, professor, CBS.
Foundation ownership is particularly common among research intensive companies. This is not a coincidence but a reflection of the long-time horizons and purpose commitment characteristic of enterprise foundations. In this opening session we therefore focus on such research foundations and how they are governed.

14.30 The LEO Foundation and LEO Pharma
 Peter Hahr, CEO, LEO foundation
The Danish Leo Foundation is an enterprise foundation that owns LEO pharma that specializes in dermatology and has more than 4000 employees. Peter’s talk will highlight how foundation ownership provides a stable platform for LEO Pharma while funding substantial research in dermatology. It will also explain how LEO Pharma has shared ownership with a private equity fund and how this influences the company’s governance.

15.00 Q&A with Peter Haahr

15.30 Future SIG activities: News and member dialogue.
  Steen Thomsen, Anne Sanders and Mark Ørberg.       

* A new center of enterprise foundations

* Next virtual seminar: Media Foundations - How foundation ownership can protect the integrity of news media and why it matters just now.  
Zoom meeting 15 May 15.00-17.00

*  Enterprise Foundations workshop in Copenhagen 24-25 September 2026

* Member feedback and suggestions

16.00 End

ELI in the World’ celebrations marking the 15 anniversary of the Institute