Summary: ALK buys additional shares in the French biotech company DBV
Technologies and thus invests in the continued development of a new promising
vaccine against peanut allergy, one of the most severe food allergies.

Hørsholm, Denmark, 2010-12-17 09:03 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --ALK has entered into an agreement to invest a further EUR 2 million in the
French biotech company DBV Technologies (DBV) as part of the funding of the
company's next development phase. Besides ALK, a number of other international
investors will participate in the share issue. ALK first invested in DBV in
early 2009.

The participation in the share issue is a strategic investment for ALK. This
investment provides ALK with an opportunity to enter into a partnership to
develop a new promising vaccine against peanut allergy. The peanut allergy
vaccine, which is currently being developed by DBV, is based on an electro
charged patch technology offering gradual uptake of the active vaccine
ingredients through the skin. With the capital injection DBV is expected to
develop the peanut allergy vaccine up to the late stage clinical development
phase.

"Currently there is no effective treatment of peanut allergy, which may in some
cases be fatal. The investment in DBV is part of ALK's strategy to invest in
the expansion of effective and patient friendly vaccines against the most
important allergies, including food allergies," says Jens Bager, President and
CEO of ALK.

Peanut allergy is one of the most severe food allergies. Approximately 1% of
the population or approximately 8 million people in Europe and North America
are estimated to suffer from this type of allergy. Peanut allergic patients may
often experience severe allergic reactions or even anaphylaxis when
accidentally exposed to even small amounts of peanut allergens. Today, the
patients' only alternative is therefore to rely on strict avoidance of peanuts
combined with adrenaline auto-injectors for self-administration in case of an
acute allergic reaction.

As part of the follow-up investment, President and CEO Jens Bager continues to
be a member of DBV's Board of Directors. For accounting purposes, the
investment will be recognised in ALK's balance sheet under long-term financial
assets.



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
treatment, prevention and diagnosis. ALK is the world leader in allergy
vaccination (immunotherapy). The company has 1,700 employees with subsidiaries,
production facilities and distributors worldwide. ALK is also part of a
strategic partnership with Merck on tablet-based allergy vaccination in North
America. The company is headquartered in Hørsholm, Denmark, and is listed on
NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen A/S. Read more at www.alk-abello.com.

About DBV Technologies
DBV Technologies (DBV) is a French biopharmaceutical company engaged in the
development of non-invasive epicutaneous delivery technology and products. DBV
Technologies is a private limited company, founded in 2002. Its strategic focus
is to develop innovative products for the diagnosis and treatment of food
allergy. The company's main product is Viaskin® Peanut, an epicutaneous allergy
immunotherapy targeting peanut allergy. A Phase Ib trial in the USA and a pilot
Phase II in France are currently in progress. Read more at
www.dbv-technologies.com.

FM_28_10_UK.pdf