Lise Tøttrup Brennum

“I work as a research scientist in the department of Neurobiology. My job is to test the effect of new drugs. This is pioneering work, since there are still many things we have yet to learn about the brain. It’s incredibly exciting. We all have great natural curiosity and know that we are developing products that can mean a lot for people suffering from Parkinson’s or schizophrenia.

Lise Tøttrup Brennum is a trained biochemist. She graduated from university about 10 years ago and has worked at Lundbeck ever since, investigating cell biology and testing new drugs.

“There are many good reasons that I’m still with Lundbeck,” says Lise Tøttrup Brennum. “First and foremost, there are many professional challenges and excellent opportunities to delve into details as well as see things from a larger perspective. Moreover, we have a constructive and open collaboration with research institutions the world over. And with our focus on diseases of the central nervous system, I feel I am making a genuine difference.”

Lise Tøttrup Brennum and her colleagues work closely with Lundbeck’s other international research departments. They exchange staff, and participate in courses and conferences that help provide new insights into research methods and results. But not everything is work-related:

“People, who work in a research department feel personally compelled to do so. Our department is made up of many different individuals. Many have families and there’s a natural need to balance work and leisure. And Lundbeck respects these needs. We can take sabbaticals and there are opportunities to work from home. Moreover, the work environment is dynamic and highly inspirational – and we have fun together. This provides us with the energy to give a project ‘a little extra’ when the pressure is on.”

Frank Høien Lendal

“I am a trained pharmacist and currently head a department that supports production at Lundbeck. My job gives me the opportunity to gain influence. And as a leader, I’ve learned to take responsibility, make difficult decisions, and take the initiative to do things differently. Our work isn’t as regimented as one might think. There are excellent opportunities to make a difference.”

Frank Høien Lendal is a trained pharmacist. He started as a trainee at Lundbeck back in 1998 and was hired the following year as a project manager.

“There are many reasons I chose to join Lundbeck. It is a large company with many opportunities for development. It also has an excellent reputation and has international operations. This means I often have direct contact with colleagues and partners from the far corners of the world. It’s an exciting way to participate in our development and make a contribution across national borders.”

He continues: “There’s a unique culture here at Lundbeck that emphasises the need to constantly do things better. The people in my department are truly appreciated when we come up with ideas that help optimise production. The company places great trust in employees who want to make a difference, and we earn respect by thinking innovatively and accepting responsibility.”

“Naturally, I have many professional and highly motivated colleagues. That doesn’t mean that we work 60 hours a week. In fact, Lundbeck goes out of its way to create a good balance between work and leisure time. Moreover, there a many social activities that help us bond, which makes it fun to come to work.”

Ethel Larsson

“I work as an international brand manager in the department for strategic marketing. In my job, I am in daily contact with colleagues and partners around the world. It is exciting. All these people are very different, as are the projects. You learn something new all the time.”

Ethel Larsson holds a degree in chemistry. She was hired in May 2005, having previously worked as a marketing manager in a large, international pharmaceutical company. She is an international brand manager at Lundbeck:

“Everyday, the people in my department are in contact with colleagues around the world. This is a real challenge when creating strategies and concepts that work equally well in Mexico, Spain, and China. It requires cooperation, the ability to listen, and that we express our opinions honestly. I think the people at Lundbeck are particularly good at this,” says Ethel Larsson.

She continues: “Lundbeck is a small company in comparison to the largest of the international pharmaceutical companies. But we are incredibly focused on creating results within our area of specialisation. This is a great motivator for me – we are working for a cause. And that’s why we all strive to be our best and to tackle our work in the most professional manner possible.”

“The social aspects of working at Lundbeck also play a significant role for all of us. We have a very busy workday, so it’s great that Lundbeck does so much to give us a chance to participate in sports, the art club, the wine club, or the company parties that have been held. There’s a lot going on and this creates a good working atmosphere. Having fun together is a great motivator.”

Peter Flagstad

“I am a pharmacist with a Ph.D. in pharmacology and work as a Project Manager in Corporate Project Management. Here at Lundbeck, I help develop pharmaceuticals for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. This has been my primary area of interest since my university days. As a Project Manager, one gets involved in many different projects, and the opportunity to put ones fingerprints on the projects is an incredible incentive.

Peter Flagstad received his pharmacist’s degree in 2000. Having written his master’s thesis at Lundbeck, he was therefore offered a research position. Later, he completed his Ph.D. and was appointed Project Manager Trainee. Now he is a Project Manager in a department focused on managing Lundbeck’s most important projects: the development of pharmaceuticals.

“My job gets me involved in projects from the very early non-clinical safety research stage, through clinical studies, and on to final approvals of the new products,” says Peter Flagstad. “As project managers, we work in cross-disciplinary teams with experts from many areas within Lundbeck. Our job is to achieve the maximum benefit from the research and development conducted at Lundbeck. This is exciting.”

He continues: “In this business, projects are unique and the successful development limited by the properties of molecule in question. Projects range from the frustrating to the fascinating. From the simple to the super-complex – and every professional area is put to the test. As a project manager, one has the opportunity to dig deep into the details, or rise far above the landscape to see the bigger picture. Both things are important.”

Peter Flagstad also thinks the international perspectives are a real plus:

“In a pharmaceutical company, it’s natural that international business opportunities are taken into consideration from the initiation of the projects. Also, our relationships with research facilities in the USA are on par with those we have with researchers here in Copenhagen. That’s because knowledge and ideas know no national boundaries.”

Manjit Dif

“I work as a HR coordinator in Human Resources. I was surprised at how international Lundbeck is. There are many opportunities to build a career, either working at headquarters or at one of the many worldwide subsidiaries. The company is big, so you quickly gain a lot of experience and build a good network.”

Manjit Dif started her career at Lundbeck as a student aide two years ago. She was appointed HR Coordinator when she gratuated from the Copenhagen Business School holding a master’s degree in International Business Communication:

“There is room for all kind of people at Lundbeck, in terms of both education and personality,” says Manjit Dif. “I’ve had a lot of opportunities to use the skills I’ve learned in school. And Lundbeck quickly gives you a lot of practical experience. Here in Human Resources, I’m involved in administrative work, for example, planning courses. But I also participate in projects where we work together with other departments and professional disciplines. Most recently, I’ve helped update our intranet – the work varies tremendously.

It is no accident that Manjit chose Lundbeck when the time came to find a student job. Her sister has worked as a pharmacist at Lundbeck – and is equally enthusiastic about the company.

“People show incredible respect for Lundbeck, every time I tell someone I work here. And I share their respect. Lundbeck can teach you a lot of things, you can work with talented and exciting people, and there is emphasis on social activities, too. We have a lot of receptions, parties, etc. That also makes it fun to work here,” concludes Manjit Dif. 

Henrik Sønnichsen

“I am the leader of a department that develops, among other things, IT applications that support Lundbeck’s business development. One of my job’s greatest challenges is to truly understand the critical elements of our business.  This is the knowledge that makes it possible to develop useful information technology to optimise key processes. I am passionate about this, because I can see the enormous gains that can be made through my work and that of my colleagues.

Henrik Sønnichsen has been with Lundbeck for five years. He works with information technology in a department that develops special business applications. Although he doesn’t have an IT education, he has always been passionate about creating closer ties between business and technology.

“I have worked at other large companies, but I was surprised how dedicated everyone at Lundbeck is when it comes to tackling large projects and difficult problems. You might say an almost romantic relationship develops to ones job and to the company.”

He continues: “This has a lot to do with the way in which Lundbeck is managed, and the special company culture that has been created. As a Lundbeck employee, one is encouraged to make ones own decisions and there is a tremendous amount of respect for each individual’s work. This is incredibly motivating.”

Michael Møller

“I work as a finance manager at Lundbeck in Valby. It’s important that I work someplace where there are plenty of professional challenges, good opportunities for career advancement, and helpful, dedicated colleagues. And I experience this every day at Lundbeck. There is a fantastic team spirit and everyone works to achieve common goals. That creates a lot of positive energy.”

Michael Møller received his MS in economics about 10 years ago. He has worked at Lundbeck for about two years.

“You quickly get a feeling for the Lundbeck spirit,” says Michael Møller. “The company has been built on the concepts of innovation and renewal. And that’s what is needed to create revolutionary new pharmaceuticals. That’s also why there is so much focus on thinking “out of the box” – that people reach out and take the initiative. One of my job challenges is to analyse product data and come up with ideas and suggestions that can help optimise existing processes.

“In many ways, this is a true ‘calling.’ We are helping to improve the quality of people’s lives. And we don’t bow to tradition in our quest to create success for the company – which, in turn, improves the lives of sufferers of CNS-based diseases. Cooperation and flexibility are kept in focus, and no one is afraid to say what’s on their mind. Change is greeted with a positive attitude.”

Michael also mentions the many opportunities to advance ones career:

“Systematic plans are made to help develop Lundbeck’s employees – as both individuals and potential leaders. Moreover, there are excellent opportunities to transfer to other departments and types of job. That makes it possible to experience new professional challenges, which I think is very important.”

Afsaneh Abbariki

”I’m trained as a pharmacist and work with registration in relation to development projects. It’s an exiting job. Lundbeck provides good opportunities to work independently, to try new methods, and to initiate new projects. I feel that I’m really making a difference – so it doesn’t bother me that things get hectic from time to time. And we’re good at helping one another.”

Afsaneh Abbariki came to Lundbeck in June 2006. Before then, she worked at another, smaller, pharmaceutical company.

“The challenges and opportunities for a pharmacist are much greater and much more interesting at Lundbeck. I came from a pharmaceutical manufacturer where research and production were separated from the rest of the organization,” says Afsaneh Abbariki.

“Lundbeck has a long tradition for research involving many exciting projects. These are projects that can be vitally important for people who suffer from depression, Alzheimer’s, or other CNS-based illnesses. This was one of the key reasons I chose to seek a job with Lundbeck. And I haven’t regretted it one moment.”

Afsaneh places particular emphasis on the many opportunities to learn new things each day. One of the many ways this happens is through cross-disciplinary projects, which challenge everyone’s ability to think in new ways, create solutions, and develop oneself both professionally and personally.”

“There is a need for many different personality types when working with these projects. And we all learn from this. I experience many different things each day, and even though I’ve been here less than a year, it has been an incredibly educational period. One quickly gains a lot of experience that can be immediately applied to the next project,” says Afsaneh Abbariki.

She continues: “Happily, there is also room for my family and leisure activities. We have a flexible work schedule and can usually plan our work so it fits everyone’s personal needs. The management is doing a lot to ensure that Lundbeck is a pleasant place to work.”

Sofia Lemos

”I am educated in public health and joined Lundbeck in 2002 to start up a new company in a new market. I am proud and confident to be part of a company that challenges me everyday. Lundbeck gives me the opportunity to continue expanding my activity into new therapeutic areas while, at the same time, reinforcing my expertise in the fascinating area of CNS.”

Sofia Lemos joined Lundbeck in January 2002 to build a new organization and to start marketing and selling CNS products in Portugal. Today, 28 people are employed at Lundbeck in Portugal.

”It has been interesting and exciting to be part of something new and be able to grow and challenge other players in the market,” says Sofia Lemos. “Especially, we have had a great success marketing Ebixa, that is used to threat Alzheimer’s disease, and we are quite confident to gain new ground with coming launches. We have a strong position and large competences in psychiatry and neurology, and it motivates us to walk an extra mile when we know that our results really matter to patients suffering from CNS related diseases.”

Sofia goes on: “I think the Nordic heritage of Lundbeck reflects our company in Portugal. You are given space and opportunities to develop new, creative concepts and to do things different, and when things are rough you are taken care of by colleagues who will help you. Cooperation and teamwork are basics at Lundbeck. It’s a people company you might say.”

“There are many challenges ahead for Lundbeck in Portugal in the years to come. Competition is strong and we constantly need to prove that our products are the best in the market. This goes for matured products as well as for the products coming out of the pipeline. Personally, I have taken on the challenge to study to get a doctor’s degree in CNS. This is especially satisfying as it makes me much more capable of meeting our clients and partners with highly professional and specialist skills in CNS treatment.”

João Carlos Rocha

“I have worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 19 years, and the work environment at Lundbeck is like no other I have previously encountered. From the start, I knew that my experience here would be unique. The primary factors that drive me to enjoy working at Lundbeck are the people, the open management style, and the constant challenges.”

João Carlos Rocha was headhunted to Lundbeck in July 2001, and it was not difficult to make the choice to come to Lundbeck.

“Lundbeck is an exciting company because it is so focused on research, unlike many other pharmaceutical companies. I work long hours and travel a lot, but the rewards are tremendous. If I should mention three things that distinguish Lundbeck from other pharmaceutical companies, it is the quality of the people, the quality of the products and the open management style. All things that contribute to creating an excellent workplace and a thriving business.”

However, success also breeds a number of challenges:

“With such talented people that continually develop, a main challenge for the future is to continue to attract and retain talented people, and keep motivating them. There are also the financial challenges. Lundbeck has experienced a rapid development in Latin America, and we want to maintain this growth. We strive to increase sales by 16% and profit by 30 % in 2007. It’s a challenging target, but not unreal at all”, says João Carlos Rocha.

“One of the secrets behind the success”, João Carlos Rocha continues”, is the management style. In Lundbeck we communicate in an open and trustful way. I take the time to interact with everyone in the organization, and every employee has access to the management. But the openness and trust also goes upwards. As an executive, I enjoy an extensive trust and support from the Danish mother company. They give me the freedom to create a motivating and profitable business in a new market, and that is really a dream for any executive ”, João Carlos Rocha ends.

João Carlos Rocha holds a degree in Biology from the Providence College, USA, and an Executive MBA from the Business School of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Dirk Haasner

“I like working at Lundbeck. From a scientist's viewpoint, the CNS is a fascinating organ system and Lundbeck has dedication and a history of excellence in this therapeutic area. The strong focus on research and the dedication to CNS opens up several possibilities to gain new competences and build a career.”

Dr. Dirk Haasner is the Head of Regulatory and Medical Affairs at Lundbeck USA. He considers Lundbeck an exiciting place to work for many reasons:

”From a business viewpoint, working at Lundbeck USA allows me to cover the areas of Medical Affairs, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Drug Safety, and Compliance, while helping to build a fully operational US subsidiary from a handful of colleagues to several hundred over the next few years. From a personal viewpoint, having worked both in the EU and the US, I enjoy working for a European company and introducing it to the US market.” 

Dirk Haasner considers the focus on CNS and the employee culture a strong reason to choose Lundbeck from other pharmaceutical companies:

“We don't change our therapeutic focus every other year. We are strong in CNS and we will always be, that makes it easier for us to build good working relations with specialists in the CNS area. Also, Lundbeck is a very responsible and science-driven company, which makes it easier for us to build a strong image with prescribers and scientists in the field. The 'typical' Lundbeck employee will always listen to and engage in a scientific and data-driven discussion.”

He goes on: “Also, the many challenges and possibilities to build a career and gain new competences are important. I joined Lundbeck in 2002 to help build the US organisation, and my responsibilities have grown substantially over the past five years. My initial focus was mainly on Regulatory Affairs, and has broadened to include Drug Safety, Medical Affairs, Clinical Operations, and Compliance. In order to keep up with these increasing responsibilities, I use a combination of 'learning on the job' and training courses to build my knowledge in these areas.” 

Lundbeck has a focus on work-life balance, both in Denmark and in the US. 

“I am able to integrate my work and family activities in a productive way, and my colleagues at Lundbeck are supportive of that. The focus at Lundbeck is always on getting the work done, and since I'm working across different timezones I can sometimes work later in the evening sending things back to Denmark and have a response the next morning. Technologies like Cell phone, Blackberry e-mail and Broadband wireless also help being productive outside the office. Our son is 2 1/2 years old now, and we will have another baby soon, but I'm confident that I'll be able to manage my family commitments and my workload in parallel also in the future.”

Janakiraman Seshachalam

”I am a bachelor in pharmacy (BPharm) and have an MBA in Marketing. I have been working in Lundbeck India for around 8 years. My primary expertise and working field is brand management. Lundbeck is highly respected by professionals and patients in India, I am proud to represent the company and happy to see the positive effect our products have on people suffering from psychiatric and neurological diseases.”

Janakiraman Seshachalam joined Lundbeck in February 1999. He has been working with branding and sales with a lot of contact with partners, doctors, practitioners and patients.

“I think Lundbeck is different from larger pharmaceutical companies in many ways. We have a flat organisation, we focus on teamwork and cooperation, and our management is courageous and open to new ideas. That makes decision making easier and more effective. Also, we are very focused on training and educating professionals working with CNS. It gives us a common expertise and an effective communications platform.” 

The competition on anti-depressants in India is strong, especially coming from generics sold by down to a third of the price of Lundbeck’s brand Cipralex. This is especially a challenge for Janakiraman and his collegues:

”First of all it is essential that my colleagues and I are able to develop a strategy that motivates our marketing and sales people. However, this is not the only challenge. We have to constantly focus on retaining existing customers, develop new customers, and work on changing consumer behavior. We must strive to be innovative in our development of new products, in our processes, and our management of the brands.”

“I feel we have the competencies to be successful in the years to come. Lundbeck in India has a good comprehension of the needs in the market, we work closely with our partners and customers to find solutions that benefit the patients, and everybody has a strong sense of our mission to make things different and better than our competitors,” says Janakiraman Seshachalam.

Tine Bryan Stensbøl

”I have a masters degree in pharmacy and a Ph.D. in pharmacology.

Basically, I am driven by my urge to make a drug that matters; a drug that makes a difference for people suffering from a detrimental disease. Hunting down a drug that makes a difference; finding the drug that makes the difference – that’s what my job is all about.”

Tine Bryan Stensbøl joined Lundbeck in 2001 and is today a Divisional Director in Neurobiology. But being quite attached to the university environment, she did not imagine herself pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical industry at first.

“I must say that I have had to revise my idea of the industry and especially Lundbeck”, says Tine Bryan Stensbøl. “Working in Lundbeck with a strong focus on CNS diseases is a tremendous challenge. By dedicated research and development we know we can change people’s lives to the better. Also, in Lundbeck we are brought up to think and do things different, to follow new paths and take risks, and to always question whether methods and decisions are right. That is highly motivating for all of us.”

Working in Research and Development is not a typical job. It demands a high degree of flexibility from employees and management to tailor a working environment that matches team work as well as individual needs.

Tine Bryan Stensbøl: “I am not the only one considering my job just as much a hobby. We are focused on delivering innovative results, and a job at Lundbeck is not your traditional nine-to-five job. That is not to say that you do not have time to family and friends, and that you are not able to take off early to pick up your children. Also, we are arranging social events, and we have sports and recreational facilities at Lundbeck to develop a pleasant working environment for all.”

“For people pursuing a career there is plenty of opportunities at Lundbeck. First of all you are able to specialize in a specific area, but you might also choose to be a generalist with skills in project management. Individual development plans are made to assure you are going the way you want. I have had the chance to participate in management courses and in conferences. It has given me a number of tools to cooperate and work in teams, and to manage people and projects.”

Tina Ying Zhang

“I am very excited to be part of Lundbeck on its new journey in China. There is a spirit of drive and persistence that is an integral part of Lundbeck culture. Everyone everywhere in the company gives the impression that working in Lundbeck is fun.”

Tina Ying Zhang is an Administration & HR manager at Lundbeck in China. Many challenges lie ahead for Lundbeck China. Ebixa® is the first product that has been launched by Lundbeck China. Many more will follow.

Tina Ying Zhang: “Lundbeck's core vision and the way we do business will guide us in getting significant results. Also, the Lundbeck star impressed me at first sight. It reminds me of a story about starfish:

An old man was picking up stranded starfish and throwing them back into the sea. A passer-by asked, 'Why are you spending so much energy doing something that is only a waste of time? There are thousands of beaches and millions of starfish. How can you make any difference?' Looking at the small starfish in his hand before tossing it back to the safety of the sea, the old man replied, 'It makes a difference to this one.'

She continues: “Helping others makes our work valuable, and it makes my job fun. Lundbeck's values give me the same feeling of importance and meaning in my work”.

Tina joined Lundbeck in 2002. Before that she worked at Abbott Laboratory. “I enjoy working at Lundbeck because Lundbeck offers me space to develop my career and my professional skills. At the moment I am taking a correspondence course in Psychology, and before that I participated in a marketing training course. The continued learning will no doubt help me in my daily assignments, but it is also great to get even better at your daily work”, says Tina.

She also enjoys the informal parties that Lundbeck arranges a couple of times a year. “There is a Spring outing, and an annual family party where all employees and their families are gathered to get to know each other. Of course, here in China the karaoke competition is an indispensable part of the family party”, says Tina, and ends: “I am very excited to be part of Lundbeck on its new journey into China”.

Wayne Morton

“I have been employed at Lundbeck for the last six years and have loved every minute. What I like most is that I am part of a family and not just another big-company statistic. Lundbeck is specialized and focused on the CNS field, which makes us as employees specialized and – due to the superb training – experts in our respective positions.”

Wayne Morton has been working as a sales representative at Lundbeck in South Africa and is now a regional sales manager. He loves his job, and considers Lundbeck to be a both socially and ethically outstanding company:

“Put it this way: Lundbeck treats the individual like part of the family and human beings”, says Wayne Morton. “Even in tough times and during high pressure, Lundbeck comes through for the employees and doesn’t resort to drastic measures like bigger companies would do. Lundbeck treats us all like adults and places an enormous amount of trust in us, which brings the best out in our performance.”

Wayne holds a Bachelor of Commerce and has been in the medical industry since 1996. He did not know much about Lundbeck before applying for the position, but he feels that he is now working in a very unique company.

“Given that Lundbeck is a lot smaller than many other pharmaceutical companies, you are not just another cogwheel in the machine. You are empowered and treated as a professional, and that gives you a lot of confidence.”

Wayne Morton almost thinks of Lundbeck as a family. And when it comes to his own family, he feels that Lundbeck understands family commitments. Wayne explains:

“Lundbeck encourages us to involve our families in our work, and if possible and relevant, the company makes an effort to include family members in job functions.”