Ipsen and Inspiration haemophilia deal

Ipsen and Inspiration Biopharmaceuticals are to enter a partnership, expanding a drugs portfolio focusing on haemophilia.

The deal will see French drugmakers, Ipsen, buy a 20 per cent stake in US-based haemophilia specialists Inspiration for $85m, with an option to raise its stake to 47 per cent for up to $174m based on the results of developments in haemophilia treatments.

The partnership will cover all major haemophilia markets and combine each organisation's expertise and resources on the bleeding disorder with an aim to address what the companies see as "two significant unmet needs" - wider access to treatment with coagulation factors and treatment for inhibitor complications.

Two lead product candidates to be further developed by the partnership are Ipsen's OB1-1, for the treatment of patients with acquired haemophilia and haemophilia A who have developed an inhibitory immune reaction to human forms of factor VIII, and Inspirations' IB1001, used for the acute and preventative treatment of the bleeding disorder associated with haemophilia B. Both drugs begin phase III clinical testing in 2010.

John Taylor, co-founder and chairman of Inspiration, said of the deal: "We are very pleased to partner with Ipsen, which has clearly demonstrated a thorough understanding of the haemophilia market and has helped create a strong, far-reaching partnership structure with Inspiration.

"Inspiration's goal is to bring a better quality of life to patients suffering from haemophilia and we believe Ipsen is the right partner to help make that happen."

Jean-Luc Bélingard, chairman and chief executive officer of Ipsen, impressed upon the company's development outside Europe: "After entering the US market last year, we remain committed to growing Ipsen's specialist disease areas on a global basis. This new partnership reflects Ipsen's long-term strategy to build a successful global specialty care franchise that will benefit both patients, doctors and shareholders."

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2010.