| Paris, May 14, 2003 — The Beaufour Ipsen Group announced today the singning in France of a marketing agreement with Novartis Pharma for two antihypertensive drugs Nisis® (valsartan) and Nisisco® (valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide). Since March 31, 2003, Beaufour Ipsen Pharma, the French subsidiary of the Group, promotes these products in France, its overseas departments and territories and in the Principalities of Monaco and Andorra. These two drugs were previously distributed by Aventis. |    |
Already involved in the treatment of hypertension with Tenstaten® (cicletanine), this agreement reinforces Beaufour Ipsen’s expertise in cardiovascular diseases in these territories. This is also consistent with the Group’s strategy to strenghten its international development based on a solid position in France.
According to Christophe Jean, Executive Vice-President, Chief Operating Officer, Beaufour Ipsen Group "We are pleased to collaborate with Novartis Pharma, one of the world leaders in the treatment of arterial hypertension, a disease which affects 7.5 million people treated in France today. This agreement adds two major innovative medicines to our portfolio that have significant medical and scientific vcardiovascular field".
In 2002, Nisis and Nisisco had a turnover of more than €24 million (source : GERS), enhanced by the launch of Nisisco® 160-25 (160 mg of valsartan and 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide) last February, which complements the product line already available to physicians.
These drugs are being further evaluated in a broad based clinical program with the participation of more than 38,000 patients. The purpose of the ongoing studies is to extend the present indications to hypertension post-infarct, and arterial hypertension associated with cardiovascular risks.
Notes to editor
Nisis®/Nisisco®
Nisis® and Nisisco® belong to the family of angiotensin II antagonists, representing the leading edge in the treatment of hypertension with the prospect of expanding their use.
Nisis® (active ingredient: valsartan) is indicated in the treatment of essential arterial hypertension (40 mg, 80 mg, 160 mg, packs of 28). Nisisco® 80 - 12,5 (80 mg of valsartan and 12,5 :mg of hydrochlorothiazide, packs of 28) is indicated after failure of a monotherapy by an angiotensin II antagonist or by hydrochlorothiazide and Nisisco 160 – 25 is indicated when a monotherapy by Nisis 160 or by the combination Nisisco 80 - 12.5 is insufficient.
Beaufour Ipsen
Present in over 80 countries with a total staff of 3423, the Beaufour Ipsen Group had a turnover of €704 million in 2001, 57% of which was outside France.
The Group specialises in oncology, haematology, neurology and endocrinology and has a portfolio of 30 products which are either peptides, derived from biotechnology, or based on natural sources. In 2001, 16.4% of Beaufour Ipsen’s turnover was reinvested in Research and Development (R&D).
The Group’s website is www.beaufour-ipsen.com
Source: Ipsen
