The French biotech company DBV Technologies of which ALK is a shareholder
successfully completes its initial public offering on NYSE Euronext in Paris.
Consequently, ALK will recognise a capital gain of DKK 24 million from its
shareholding in other comprehensive income. 

Copenhagen, 2012-03-29 09:58 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 

As part of the further funding of the company, DBV Technologies (DBV) has
announced that it successfully completed its initial public offering (IPO) on
NYSE Euronext in Paris raising a total proceed of EUR 40 million (DKK 298
million). The price of the offering was settled at EUR 8.86 per share implying
a total value of ALK’s shareholding of DKK 54 million. ALK invested in DBV in
2009 and 2010. 

ALK’s shareholding in DBV represents a strategic investment within the area of
food allergy. The peanut allergy vaccine, which is currently DBV’s most
advanced development programme is based on a proprietary electro charged patch
technology offering uptake of the active vaccine ingredients via the
epicutaneous layer of the skin. Peanut allergy is one of the most severe food
allergies and is estimated to affect approximately 8 million people in North
America and Europe. 

ALK did not participate in the offering and consequently its shareholding has
been reduced to approximately 6%. 

According to ALK's accounting policies, the capital gain of DKK 24 million will
be recognised in other comprehensive income in the Q1 2012 interim report. The
IPO will not impact ALK's operating profit and consequently, ALK’s current
financial outlook for 2012 remains unchanged. ALK continues to expect an
operating profit (EBITDA) of more than DKK 300 million. 



                                 ALK-Abelló A/S
                                        

                                   Jens Bager
                                President and CEO
                                        

For further information please contact:

Jens Bager, President and CEO, tel. +45 4574 7576
Investor Relations: Per Plotnikof, tel. +45 4574 7527, mobile +45 2261 2525
Press: Martin Barlebo, tel. +45 4574 7901, mobile +45 2064 1143


About ALK
ALK is a research-driven global pharmaceutical company focusing on allergy
prevention, diagnosis and treatment. ALK is the world leader in allergy
immunotherapy – a unique treatment of the underlying cause of allergy. The
company has approximately 1,800 employees with subsidiaries, production
facilities and distributors worldwide. ALK has entered into partnership
agreements with Merck and Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. to commercialise
allergy immunotherapy tablets in North America and Japan, respectively. The
company is headquartered in Hørsholm, Denmark, and listed on the NASDAQ OMX
Copenhagen A/S. Find more information at www.alk-abello.com.