Company Overview

Zealand Pharma A/S is a Danish biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of peptide-based medicines for metabolic and gastrointestinal diseases. The company operates within the biopharmaceutical and life sciences industries, with a strategic emphasis on therapies targeting obesity, type 2 diabetes, rare endocrine disorders, and gastrointestinal conditions. Its primary value creation model centers on internal drug discovery combined with strategic partnerships and licensing agreements with larger pharmaceutical companies.

The company’s core assets are based on its proprietary peptide drug discovery platform, which enables the design of long-acting, receptor-selective peptide therapeutics. Zealand Pharma was founded in 1998 as a spin-out from the University of Copenhagen and has evolved from an early-stage research company into a late-stage clinical development organization with multiple assets in Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials and several commercialized or partnered products.

Business Operations

Zealand Pharma generates value through a combination of milestone payments, research funding, royalties, and potential future product sales. Its major operating focus is the development of peptide therapeutics targeting metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes, as well as rare endocrine disorders. Key revenue historically has been derived from partnered products, most notably Dasiglucagon, which has been commercialized by partners for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia.

The company’s operations are primarily research- and development-driven, with internal capabilities spanning peptide chemistry, preclinical research, and clinical development. Zealand Pharma does not maintain large-scale manufacturing or commercial sales infrastructure and instead relies on strategic collaborations. Notable partnerships include long-standing relationships with Novo Nordisk A/S and other global pharmaceutical companies for co-development and commercialization of select assets.

Strategic Position & Investments

Strategically, Zealand Pharma is positioned as a specialized peptide innovation partner in the rapidly expanding metabolic disease market. Growth initiatives focus on advancing its late-stage obesity and cardiometabolic pipeline, including long-acting peptide candidates designed for improved efficacy and dosing convenience. The company continues to prioritize capital-efficient development through partnerships rather than large-scale acquisitions.

Investment activity is primarily directed toward internal R&D rather than external acquisitions. Zealand Pharma maintains a portfolio of wholly owned and partnered clinical programs rather than a broad subsidiary structure. Emerging focus areas include next-generation obesity treatments, combination therapies, and novel peptide mechanisms that may complement or compete with existing GLP‑1–based therapies, although long-term competitive outcomes remain dependent on clinical trial results.

Geographic Footprint

Zealand Pharma is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, which serves as its primary research and corporate center. The company’s operations are predominantly based in Europe, with additional clinical and partner-driven activities in North America and other international markets where clinical trials are conducted.

While Zealand Pharma does not operate extensive international offices, its global footprint is extended through partnerships with multinational pharmaceutical companies that manage commercialization and late-stage development in the United States, Europe, and select global markets. This partner-led model allows the company to maintain international reach without direct commercial infrastructure.

Leadership & Governance

Zealand Pharma’s leadership team combines scientific expertise with pharmaceutical industry experience, emphasizing innovation-driven growth and disciplined capital allocation. The governance structure reflects its status as a publicly listed company on the Nasdaq Copenhagen exchange, with oversight aligned to Danish and EU regulatory standards.

Key executives include:

• Adam Steensberg – President and Chief Executive Officer
• David Kendall – Chief Medical Officer
• Matt Kildemoes – Chief Financial Officer
• Lene Vestergaard Hau – Chief Scientific Officer
• Frank Gleeson – Chief Operating Officer

Management has consistently articulated a strategic vision focused on building a leading peptide therapeutics company through scientific differentiation, selective partnerships, and long-term value creation driven by late-stage clinical success.