Policies

Karolinska Development assigns great importance to being a responsible company towards it’s employees, portfolio companies and the outside world. Below are examples of how we work with this through our Equal Treatment Policy, our Environmental Policy and our Code of Ethics. For more information about how Karolinska Development works with sustainability, please visit our sustainability page and take part of our governance report that is published on an annual basis in the annual report.

Karolinska Development´s Equal Treatment Policy

1. About this policy

This policy has been adopted by the Board of Directors of Karolinska Development at the board meeting held June 16, 2022. The policy shall be revised annually in accordance with the principles set forth in the company´s Rules and Instructions, and when needed be changed. The policy shall be available at the company´s web site.

2. Karolinska Development´s basic view is that all people are equal.

Karolinska Development shall prevent direct discrimination, indirect discrimination and harassments based on age, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation and functional disability.

No employee or applicant for employment should be discriminated or experience harassments due to the aforesaid circumstances.

Karolinska Development shall take advantage of opportunities ensuing from diversity.

3. Responsibility

Each and every employee is responsible for maintaining equal treatment and non-discrimination within Karolinska Development. All employees are responsible for actively promoting and contributing to a corporate culture that is inclusive, equal, and unbiased. Each manager is responsible for introducing the policy to new employees, and for ensuring every employee’s compliance.

Reporting of discrimination is handled by the General Counsel. Karolinska Development shall ensure that there is documentation implemented measures in cases of discrimination.

4. Karolinska Development’s Portfolio Companies

Karolinska Development shall, when possible, make certain that its Portfolio Companies adhere to the above mentioned rules.

 

Karolinska Development´s Environmental Policy

1. About this Policy

This policy has been adopted by the Board of Directors of Karolinska Development at the board meeting held June 16, 2022. The policy shall be revised annually in accordance with the principles set forth in the company´s Rules and Instructions, and when needed be changed. The policy shall be available at the company´s web site.

2. Background

Karolinska Development is an investment company that invests in Life Science. Karolinska Development meets the legal requirements in the environmental area. Although the business is conducted primarily from an office and has a limited environmental impact, Karolinska Development believes that the environment is an important aspect to promote sustainable development in society and thus also an important aspect for the parent company and its portfolio companies.

3. Karolinska Development shall behave in line with development towards a sustainable environment

To achieve this:

  • The objective of Karolinska Development´s environmental management shall be to prevent or minimize the aggregated environmental impact of the company;
  • Karolinska Development's management and decision makers shall consider environmental impact in operational issues, when relevant;
  • Karolinska Development's personnel shall be informed about and constitute a natural part of the environmental management;
  • Environmental legislation shall be considered as a minimum level in the environmental management;
  • Environmental impact shall be considered for procurements and purchases, when relevant; and
  • The environmental management shall strive for continuous improvements.

4. Responsibilities

Karolinska Development's managers are responsible for implementing this policy and informing their employees about the company's core values.

5. Karolinska Development’s Portfolio Companies

Karolinska Development shall, when possible, ensure that its Portfolio Companies comply with laws and environmental requirements and apply rules that limit the environmental impact as a result of the company's operations.

Karolinska Development´s Code of Ethics

1. About this Policy

This policy has been adopted by the Board of Directors of Karolinska Development at the board meeting held June 16, 2022. The policy shall be revised annually in accordance with the principles set forth in the company´s Rules and Instructions, and when needed be changed. The policy shall be available at the company´s web site.

2. About Ethics

The word "ethics" originates from the Greek word "ethos" which means custom or practice. "Ethics" generally refers to the doctrine of moral behavior. Discussions on ethics usually cover questions about what is good and right and how people should behave, i.e. rules and principles on behavior and attitudes.

3. Karolinska Development's Basic Values

Karolinska Development conducts business activities comprising investments in life science projects from seed to commercialization, which shall provide a high rate of return on investment for the owners of the company. In doing so, the company shall respect fundamental principles on human rights and the equal value of all human beings, democracy, the environment and the goal of achieving the sustainable development of society. Investments shall be made in projects that aim to improve people's health and that are characterized by a high level of scientific quality and ethics. Karolinska Development shall be a workplace embodying good leadership, participation, openness, equality and care for the external and internal environment while distancing itself from all forms of discrimination.3 Karolinska Development's Basic Values

Karolinska Development conducts business activities comprising investments in life science projects from seed to commercialization, which shall provide a high rate of return on investment for the owners of the company. In doing so, the company shall respect fundamental principles on human rights and the equal value of all human beings, democracy, the environment and the goal of achieving the sustainable development of society. Investments shall be made in projects that aim to improve people's health and that are characterized by a high level of scientific quality and ethics. Karolinska Development shall be a workplace embodying good leadership, participation, openness, equality and care for the external and internal environment while distancing itself from all forms of discrimination.

4. Karolinska Development´s Employees

All Karolinska Development employees:

  • shall treat each other with respect
  • shall be aware of and adhere to the laws and regulations that apply to Karolinska Development´s business
  • shall strive for a good work environment
  • shall strive for good business relations with other companies and public authorities
  • shall show respect for different customs and practices in the contacts with foreign companies and foreign public authorities
  • shall behave and interact in a proper manner in the contacts with representatives from other companies and public authorities and refrain from the use of any rewards or influences
  • shall work against corruption in all its forms
  • shall strictly separate private expenses from business expenses
  • shall protect and preserve Karolinska Development AB's integrity and credibility and not act in a way that could lead to conflicts of interest or suspicion thereof

5. Responsibilities

Karolinska Development's managers are responsible for implementing this policy and informing their employees about the company's core values. 6 Karolinska Development's Portfolio Companies Karolinska Development shall, when possible and justified by ownership and influence, make certain that its Portfolio Companies adhere to the above mentioned rules, and ensure that the Portfolio Companies, in their respective research projects (i) in which humans are concerned, respect human dignity and follow rules and regulations relating to research on humans, and (ii) in which animals are concerned, follow rules and regulations on the treatment of laboratory animals.