Paris (France), 31 January 2008 — Ipsen (Euronext: FR0010259150; IPN) today announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the filing of its BLA for Dysport® in the United States to treat patients with cervical dystonia. This acceptance signifies the start of the review process of the dossier.About Dysport®
The active substance in Dysport® is a botulinum neurotoxin type A complex, which acts at the level of the neuromuscular junction in the targeted muscle. Dysport®, Ipsen’s botulinum toxin type A, is a neuromuscular blocking toxin which acts to block acetylcholine release at motor nerve ends and reduces muscular spasm. It was initially developed for the treatment of movement disorders such as cervical dystonia (a chronic condition in which the neck is twisted or deviated), blepharospasm (involuntary eye closure), hemifacial spasm and various forms of muscle spasticity, including post-stroke arm spasticity, spasticity of the lower limbs (calf) in adults and children with cerebral palsy. Dysport® was originally launched in the United Kingdom in 1991 and has marketing authorisations in over 70 countries.The product is currently referred to as Reloxin® in the United States aesthetic market and Dysport® for medical and aesthetic markets outside the U.S.
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 4,000. The company’s development strategy is based on a combination of products in targeted therapeutic areas (oncology, endocrinology and neuromuscular disorders) which are growth drivers, and primary care products which contribute significantly to its research financing. This strategy is also supported by an active policy of partnerships. The location of its four Research and Development centres (Paris, Boston, Barcelona, London) gives the Group a competitive edge in gaining access to leading university research teams and highly qualified personnel. In 2006, R&D expenditure was €178.3 million, i.e. 20.7% of consolidated sales, which amounted to €861.7 million while total revenues amounted to €945.3 million (in IFRS). 700 people in R&D are dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative drugs for patient care. Ipsen’s shares are traded on Segment A of Eurolist by EuronextTM (stock code: IPN, ISIN code: FR0010259150). Ipsen’s shares are eligible to the "Service de Regrave;glement Différé" ("SRD") and the Group is part of the SBF 120 index. For more information on Ipsen, visit our website at www.ipsen.com.
Forward-looking statements
The forward-looking statements and targets contained herein are based on Ipsen's management's 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 Research and Development process involves several stages at each of which there is a substantial risk that the Group will fail to achieve its objectives and be forced to abandon its efforts in respect of a product in which it has invested significant sums. Thus, in order to develop a product which is viable from a commercial point of view, the Group must demonstrate, by means of pre-clinical and human clinical trials, that the molecules are effective and not dangerous to human beings. 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, or that the regulatory authorities will be satisfied with the data and information provided by the Company. Ipsen 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. Ipsen's business is subject to the risk factors outlined in its information documents filed with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers.
Source: Ipsen
