Board of Directors

Guiding a prosperous tomorrow

The Genmab Board of Directors is composed of a diverse group of industry experts with a deep understanding in life sciences and corporate governance. As current or former chief executive officers, presidents and leaders in their respective fields, our board of directors offers Genmab extensive experience from international research-based organizations, including leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

The Genmab Board of Directors meets several times a year for ordinary or extraordinary meetings. Board duties include overseeing the business strategy, accounting practices, executive compensation, corporate governance practices and the appointment of executive officers. The Board of Directors has established four committees: the Compensation Committee, the Audit and Finance Committee, the Scientific Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

In accordance with the articles of association, the Board of Directors is elected partly by the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and partly by Genmab employees. Board members elected by the AGM are elected for a period of one year whereas board members elected by Genmab employees are elected for a period of three years. Members may stand for re-election for successive terms. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than three and no more than nine members; and is currently comprised of eight members including three employee representatives.

The business address for the members of the Board of Directors is c/o Genmab A/S, Kalvebod Brygge 43, 1560 Copenhagen V, Denmark.

Gender Target Figure

Target Figure for Women in the Board of Directors of Genmab A/S

At the General Meeting of Genmab A/S, the Board of Directors proposes election of the most suitable candidates based on, amongst other criteria, the skill set requirements for board of directors of biotech companies. In connection with the proposals for election, the Board of Directors takes into consideration the opportunity to propose election of candidates that may secure gender equality to the Board of Directors for the long term.

In March 2017, Genmab achieved its target figure for women in the Board of Directors according to which it was the aim of the Board of Directors that the proportion of female board members elected by the General Meeting was increased to at least 25%. Considering the Board of Directors’ current composition, which constitutes equitable gender representation cf. guidelines from the Danish Business Authority, it is the aim of the Board of Directors to maintain an equitable gender representation in the Board of Directors.

The target figure may be amended by the Board of Directors and should be interpreted in accordance with applicable equal rights and anti-discrimination legislation in Denmark, in force from time to time.




Learn more about our board members by clicking on their names.

Deirdre P. Connelly

Board Chair

Independent

Elected by: General Meeting

First elected: 2017
Current term expires: 2024

Committee Positions

Chair: Nominating & Corporate Governance

Member: Audit & Finance, Compensation

Nationality

Hispanic/American

Born

October 1960

Special Competencies

More than 30 years’ experience as a corporate leader and extensive experience in corporate governance as a board member. Comprehensive experience with business turnaround, corporate culture transformation, product launch and talent development. Successfully directed the launch of more than 20 new pharmaceutical drugs. Former President, North America Pharmaceuticals for GlaxoSmithKline.

Current Board Positions

Member: Lincoln Financial Corporation1, Macy’s Inc.2

1. Chair of Corporate Governance Committee, Member of Audit Committee
2. Chair of Nominating and Governance Committee, Member of Compensation and Management Development Committee

Pernille Erenbjerg

Deputy Chair

Independent
Elected by: General Meeting
First elected: 2015
Current term expires: 2024

Committee Positions

Chair: Audit & Finance Committee
Member: Nominating & Corporate Governance

Nationality

Danish

Born

August 1967

Special Competencies

Senior executive management and broad business experience from the telecoms, media and tech industries. Extensive experience with operation and strategic transformation of large and complex companies, including digital transformations and digitally based innovation. ESG experience from executive and non-executive positions. Comprehensive all-around background within finance, including extensive exposure to, public and private equity and debt investors. Certified Public Accountant background (no longer practicing). Responsible for major transformation processes in complex organizations including M&A. Former CEO and President of TDC Group A/S. Due to her experience and background within accounting, Pernille Erenbjerg qualifies as an audit committee financial expert.

Current Board Positions

Chair: Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT)
Deputy Chair: Millicom1
Member: RTL Group2, GlobalConnect

1. Chair of Compensation Committee
2. Chair of Audit Committee

Anders Gersel Pedersen, M.D., Ph.D.

Board Member

Non-independent
Elected by: General Meeting
First elected: 2003
Current term expires: 2024

Committee Positions

Chair: Compensation
Member: Scientific, Nominating & Corporate Governance

Nationality

Danish

Born

September 1951

Special Competencies

Business and management experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including expertise in clinical research, development, regulatory affairs and product life cycle management. Former Executive Vice President of Research & Development of H. Lundbeck A/S.

Current Board Positions

Chair: Aelis Farma S.A.S.
Deputy Chair: Bavarian Nordic A/S1
Member: Hansa Biopharma AB2, Bond 2 Development 2 GP Limited

1. Member of Nomination and Compensation Committee, Member of Science, Technology & Investment Committee
2. Chair of Scientific Committee, Member of Remuneration Committee

Paolo Paoletti, M.D.

Board Member

Independent
Elected by: General Meeting
First elected: 2015
Current term expires: 2024

Committee Positions

Chair: Scientific
Member: Compensation

Nationality

Italian (U.S. Citizen)

Born

October 1950

Special Competencies

Extensive experience in research, development and commercialization in the pharmaceutical industry. Successfully conducted submissions and approvals of new cancer drugs and new indications in the U.S. and in Europe. Responsible for seven new medicines for cancer patients during his 10 years at GlaxoSmithKline and one new cancer medicine during his time at Eli Lilly.

Current Position, including Managerial Positions

Member of the Investment Committee for Apollo Therapeutics Limited
Scientific Advisor for 3B Future Health Fund

Current Board Positions

Member: Akamis Bio Limited

Rolf Hoffmann

Board Member

Independent
Elected by: General Meeting
First elected: 2017
Current term expires: 2024

Committee Positions

Member: Audit & Finance, Scientific

Nationality

German

Born

May 1959

Special Competencies

Extensive international management experience with expertise in creating and optimizing commercial opportunities in global markets. Additional expertise in P&L management, governance and Corporate Integrity Agreement Management, compliance and organizational efficiency. Over 20 years’ experience in the international pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries at Eli Lilly and Amgen.

Current Position, including Managerial Positions

Adjunct Professor Strategy and Entrepreneurship, University of North Carolina Business School

Current Board Positions

Member: Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.1, IDT Biologika, Semdor Pharma

1. Member of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Elizabeth O’Farrell

Board Member

Independent
Elected by: General Meeting
First elected: 2022
Current term expires: 2024

Committee Positions

Member: Audit & Finance, Compensation

Nationality

American

Born

April 1964

Special Competencies

Solid financial experience including strategic, operational and reporting across the value chain. Additional expertise in leading cross-functional teams, championing culture, and driving paradigm changing contributions within finance and the enterprise through collaboration and influence. Over 24-years experience at Eli Lilly, in addition to experience at Price Waterhouse Coopers and Whipple & Company Corporation. 

Current Board Positions

Chair: PDL BioPharma
Member: LENSAR1, Geron Corporation2, Karius3

1. Chair  of Audit Committee
2. Chair of Audit Committee
3. Chair of Audit Committee

Takahiro Hamatani

Board Member

Non-independent
Elected by: Employees
First elected: 2022
Current term expires: 2025

Nationality

Japanese

Born

March 1974

Special Competencies

Over 24 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry in various roles including finance, sales/marketing, and corporate strategy. Extensive expertise in strategic business planning and finance business partnering. Experience in successful product launches, geographical expansions, and business development deals. Certified Public Accountant in the US.

Current Position, including Managerial Positions

Senior Director, Finance Japan at Genmab

Martin Schultz

Board Member

Non-independent
Elected by: Employees
First elected: 2022
Current term expires: 2025

Nationality

Danish

Born

September 1975

Special Competencies

Broad experience within clinical trial management with a substantial understanding and knowledge of research and development. Specific expertise in project management, vendor collaboration, contract and budget management.

Current Position, including Managerial Positions

Senior Director, Clinical Operations at Genmab

Mijke Zachariasse, Ph.D.

Board Member

Non-independent
Elected by: Employees
First elected: 2019
Current term expires: 2025

Nationality

Dutch

Born

August 1973

Special Competencies

Broad experience in people and business management in the natural sciences sector. Specific expertise in building strategic partnerships across sectors, financial and fund management, and setting research strategies in the academic sector.

Current Position, including Managerial Positions

Senior Director, Head of Research Materials at Genmab

Committee Composition

Audit & Finance

Scientific

Compensation

Nominating &
Corporate Governance

ChairMemberSwipe to view more

Board Diversity and Skills Matrix

Basic InformationCore Skills
DirectorBornGender and NationalityLife Science
Industry		Executive
Experience		Financial/
Risk		Legal/
Governance		IT/
Cybertech		Environmental/
Sustainability		International
Markets		Scientific/
R&D

Employee ElectedSwipe to view moreScroll to view more

Evaluation

No less than once a year the Board of Directors evaluates its performance and achievements as well as the individual board members’ respective work and results.

The Chair of the Board of Directors ensures that the Board of Directors performs regular assessments of its own performance to verify that the Board of Directors is capable of fulfilling its function and responsibilities, and that the outcome of such evaluations are discussed with the Board of Directors. When performing these evaluations external assistance is obtained every year. The evaluation is based upon anonymous questionnaires on the work in the Board of Directors, the work in the board committees, the cooperation with the Executive Management, anonymous evaluation of the individual board members and an interview with an external consultant with each member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management. Furthermore, the Board of Directors performs regular assessments of the Executive Management and of the collaboration between the parties to identify any areas in potential need of improvement.

The outcome of the Board of Directors’ 2022 self-assessment was positive with only minor areas for improvement identified. Overall, there was a high degree of satisfaction with the board meetings and the collaboration in the Board of Directors, good feedback to the board committees and to the chair of the Board of Directors and the competencies in the Board of Directors were considered in general to be sufficient and well balanced. The attention to strategy and growth was perceived to be at a high level and there was confidence in the present strategy and the execution thereof. Also, the focus on ESG and IT and cyber risks had increased and there was a perception of a high level of compliance with legal responsibilities and good corporate governance principles. It was further concluded that the interface between the Board of Directors and the Executive Management was strong and that an excellent relation exists between the Executive Management and the Board of Directors.

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