Main Research and Development programs *

A promising pipeline with more than 20 programs

Amongst the most innovative pharmaceutical groups, Ipsen devoted nearly 20% of sales to R&D in 2009. Its research teams are active in discovering and developing new molecules, and managing the life-cycle of products which are already marketed.

TECHNOLOGICAL PLATFORMS SERVING DISCOVERY

Peptide and protein engineering

Active primarily in three areas - synthetic chemistry, pharmacology and biotechnology - Ipsen’s research teams, mainly in Boston (MA, USA), selectively modify the structure of naturally occurring proteins and peptides to improve their properties. Replacing certain protein sequences with different ones may reduce antigenicity (detection by existing antibodies), toxicity or immunogenicity (formation of new antibodies) of proteins and peptides; it can also increase the duration of action, specificity or compatibility with sustained-release formulations.

Translational research

Based in Paris, the teams specialized in translational research aim to gain a better understanding of molecular, pharmacological, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of new chemical or biological candidates which may be developed in the fields of oncology, endocrinology and neurology.

Steroid engineering

In collaboration with Bath University (UK), Ipsen’s research teams concentrate on the discovery of enzyme inhibitors involved in the biosynthesis of steroid hormones.

TECHNOLOGICALLY INTEGRATED PLATFORMS SERVING INNOVATION

Ipsen’s originality lies within the convergence of:

• medicinal chemistry applied to steroid, peptide and protein engineering, each with its own toolbox such as molecular modelling, but always based on rationale design as opposed to random screening;
• and an expertise in advanced delivery systems, which aims at developing:
  • vectorized agents associating an active moiety to an appropriate ligand for the targeted tissue and for intracellular delivery with the objective to increase efficiency and efficacy while sparing or minimizing toxic effects to the non-target tissues;
  • controlled delivery systems for enhanced patients’ convenience and quality of life.

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION AIMED AT ACCELERATING DRUG MARKETING AUTHORIZATION

To develop the Group’s product portfolio by making the best strategic choices, Ipsen adopts a global and strategic approach for all candidate compounds. Some of the compounds discovered by internal research teams are developed by the Group, whilst others are licensed out to laboratories via strategic partnerships. Ipsen may also develop and market compounds that do not come from its own research, but which are perfectly in line with its strategy. By optimizing time and resources, Ipsen generates the most value added possible, both in medical and economic terms. Clinical development teams execute or commission execution of clinical trials, the pharmaceutical development center produces batches destined for preclinical and clinical research, and the pharmacokinetics department takes part in clinical trials with the advanced drug delivery teams.