Ipsen and Debiopharm Conclude an Exclusive Worldwide License Agreement for the Development and Commercialisation of the Ipsen's Proprietary CDC25
Inhibitor (IRC-083864 or Debio 0931), an Anti-Cancer Agent Debio 0931 has the Potential to Target Major Human Cancers
PARIS and LAUSANNE, Switzerland, September 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Ipsen
(Euronext:IPN), an innovation-driven global specialty pharmaceutical Group
and Debiopharm Group (Debiopharm), a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical
group of companies with a focus on the development of prescription drugs that
target unmet medical needs, announced today the signature of an agreement
under which Debiopharm is granted an exclusive worldwide license to develop
and commercialise Ipsen's first-in-class inhibitor of the CDC25 phosphatase
enzyme (now Debio 0931), for the treatment of various human cancers.
CDC25 is a key enzyme involved in the regulation of cell cycle. Its
over-expression is associated with the progression of cancer. By blocking the
cell cycle and thus interrupting tumour growth, Debio 0931 represents a
promising novel target for cancer therapies. This preclinical candidate will
now be the subject of a full development program under the responsibility of
Debiopharm.
Under the terms of the agreement Debiopharm will be exclusively
responsible for the development of Debio 0931, with Ipsen having an option to
re-acquire development and commercialisation rights post completion of Phase
II clinical trials. Ipsen will receive an upfront payment and be eligible for
milestone payments and royalties.
Jean-Luc Belingard, Ipsen's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said:
"We are delighted that Ipsen's CDC25 inhibitor will be progressed toward
clinical development by Debiopharm, a company with a strong track record in
oncology. Debiopharm is our long-standing partner with whom we have had a
very fruitful partnership in other areas of oncology for more than 20 years
and we feel confident that the full potential of CDC25 will be maximised,
thanks to Debiopharm's strong expertise in oncology development."
Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, President and Founder of Debiopharm Group added:
"We are extremely pleased to enter into another alliance with Ipsen. This
collaboration is an opportunity to grow our pipeline in oncology, our area of
expertise. We believe that Debio 0931 may have applications in the treatment
of various types of cancer which will increase the quality of life of many
cancer patients."
About the partnership
The collaboration between Ipsen and Debiopharm started in 1983 with
regards to LHRH analogues, in particular for the triptorelin analogue
Decapeptyl(R) (also known as Pamoreline(R) and Diphereline(R)). In October
2007, their partnership was extended to grant Ipsen access to future
sustained-release formulations of Decapeptyl(R) developed by Debiopharm,
among which a 6-month sustained release formulation that was filed in Europe
in September 2008, for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic
prostate cancer. Decapeptyl(R) 1 and 3-month formulations are currently
commercialised in more than 60 countries worldwide, including 25 in Europe
and they have generated almost EUR 248million in sales in 2008.
About Ipsen
Ipsen is an innovation-driven international specialty pharmaceutical
group with over 20 products on the market and a total worldwide staff of
nearly 4,200. Its development strategy is based on a combination of specialty
medicine, which is Ipsen's growth driver, in targeted therapeutic areas
(oncology, endocrinology, neurology and haematology), and primary care
products which contribute significantly to its research financing. The
location of its four Research & Development centres (Paris, Boston,
Barcelona, London) and its peptide and protein engineering platform give the
Group a competitive edge in gaining access to leading university research
teams and highly qualified personnel. More than 800 people in R&D are
dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative drugs for patient
care. This strategy is also supported by an active policy of partnerships. In
2008, Research and Development expenditure was about EUR183 million, close to
19% of consolidated sales, which amounted to EUR971 million while total
revenues exceeded EUR1 billion. Ipsen's shares are traded on Segment A of
Euronext Paris (stock code: IPN, ISIN code: FR0010259150). Ipsen's shares are
eligible to the "Service de Reglement Differe" ("SRD") and the Group is part
of the SBF 120 index. For more information on Ipsen, visit our website at
http://www.ipsen.com.
About Debiopharm Group
Debiopharm Group is a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group of
companies with a focus on the development of prescription drugs that target
unmet medical needs. It develops its products for global registration and
maximum commercial potential. Once registered, the products are out-licensed
to pharmaceutical partners for sales and marketing.
Debiopharm independently funds the worldwide development of all of its
products while providing expertise in pre-clinical and clinical trials,
manufacturing, drug delivery and formulation, and regulatory affairs.
Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, Debiopharm
has developed four products with global combined sales in excess of $2.6
billion in 2008.
For more information on Debiopharm Group, please visit:
http://www.debiopharm.com.
Ipsen Forward Looking Statement
The forward-looking statements, objectives and targets contained herein
are based on the Group's management strategy, current views and assumptions.
Such statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may
cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those
anticipated herein. Moreover, the targets described in this document were
prepared without taking into account external growth assumptions and
potential future acquisitions, which may alter these parameters. These
objectives are based on data and assumptions regarded as reasonable by the
Group. These targets depend on conditions or facts likely to happen in the
future, and not exclusively on historical data. Notably, future currency
fluctuations may negatively impact the profitability of the Group and its
ability to reach its objectives. Actual results may depart significantly from
these targets given the occurrence of certain risks and uncertainties. The
Group does not commit nor gives any guarantee that it will meet the targets
mentioned above. Furthermore, the Research and Development process involves
several stages each of which involve the substantial risk that the Group may
fail to achieve its objectives and be forced to abandon its efforts with
regards to a product in which it has invested significant sums. Therefore,
the Group cannot be certain that favourable results obtained during
pre-clinical trials will be confirmed subsequently during clinical trials, or
that the results of clinical trials will be sufficient to demonstrate the
safe and effective nature of the product concerned. The Group expressly
disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward
looking statements, targets or estimates contained in this press release to
reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on
which any such statements are based, unless so required by applicable law.
The Group's business is subject to the risk factors outlined in its
registration documents filed with the French Autorite des Marches Financiers.