About us

Zealand Pharma A/S is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of peptide-based medicines. More than 10 drug candidates invented by Zealand have advanced into clinical development, of which two have reached the market and three candidates are in late-stage development. The company has development partnerships with a number of pharma companies as well as commercial partnerships for its marketed products.

Zealand was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a presence in the U.S., and employs around 250 people.

We have a track record of successfully inventing and developing novel peptide-based product candidates. This success is based on our deep understanding of peptide chemistry and extensive experience in improving the therapeutic characteristics of naturally-occurring peptides by modifying and optimizing their structures. The modifications we make are designed to improve upon naturally occurring peptides so that their therapeutic benefit, duration of action, stability and/or convenience of use favorably compare to other treatment options. Our peptide discovery and development platform has been validated by two approved products, marketed respectively by Sanofi and Novo Nordisk, as well as the novel peptide analogs currently in clinical development.

Product pipeline

Our pipeline includes product candidates in clinical and preclinical development as potential treatments for rare diseases, obesity and related co-morbidities, type one diabetes and chronic inflammation.

Collaborations and partnerships

Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim and Zealand Pharma have co-invented novel, long-acting dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist designed for once-weekly administration for the potential treatment of obesity and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Under the terms of the license and collaboration agreement, Boehringer Ingelheim is funding all research, development and commercialization activities related to survodutide. Zealand Pharma is eligible to receive certain milestone payments, plus high-single to low-double digit royalties on potential global sales by Boehringer Ingelheim.

Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease

Zealand Pharma and Alexion are collaborating on the discovery and development of novel peptide therapies for complement-mediated diseases. The lead program, ZP10068, is an investigational long-acting inhibitor of Complement C3, which has the potential to treat a broad range of complement mediated diseases.

Zealand will lead the joint discovery and research efforts through the pre-clinical stage, and Alexion will lead development efforts beginning with Investigational New Drug (IND) filing and Phase 1 trials.

For the lead target, Zealand is eligible to receive certain development and sales milestone payments, plus royalties on global sales in the high single to low double digits by Alexion.