The KLIFO History
Where Experience Meets Potential
In the late 2000s, the pharmaceutical industry found itself at a crossroads. New technologies and treatments were emerging rapidly from biotech start-ups, yet far too often, they failed to reach the market. Not because the ideas were bad—on the contrary. The issue was execution: the wrong trials, the wrong statistical methods, the wrong strategies. Alejandra Mørk had seen it happen over and over.
As a senior executive at Nycomed, Alejandra was responsible for evaluating drug development acquisitions. Many projects looked promising. But in reality, they failed due to poor study designs, a lack of regulatory understanding, and an inability to translate good science into approvable products. The potential was there. The structure was not.
“What was missing was someone who could see the full horizon.”
In 2007, Alejandra was approached by Allan, the founder of KLIFO—a small Danish CRO with 10 employees, conducting clinical trials and clinical trial supply since 1994. He asked if she would consider taking over. At the time, she declined. But the idea stayed with her.
Over the summer, the concept matured. She knew many seasoned professionals who had left big pharma after 25–30 years—highly skilled individuals now working as independent consultants. What if you brought them together under one roof? What if you could give biotech companies exactly what they lacked: access to deep expertise—at the moment it mattered most?
When she returned from summer vacation, Alejandra called Allan back and said:
“I want to buy the company. But it has to change.”
The KLIFO promise
Good medicines deserve to reach the market — but success requires more than science. It takes experience, regulatory maturity and flawless execution.
When you work with KLIFO, you get senior professionals who take ownership. We embed into your team, apply vertical insight, and ensure your drug product is developed, documented and delivered right.
Ready to address your clinical development needs?
