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Group history

Ipsen, 80 years of dynamic and innovation.

1929

Dr. Henri Beaufour creates Laboratoires Beaufour in Dreux (France) to launch Romarène®, a naturally occurring product derived from rosemary used in the treatment of digestive disorders.

1954

Citrate de Bétaïne® is launched, a product used in the symptomatic treatment of dyspepsia.

1970's

Following the opening of the group’s research facility in France in 1969, Ipsen begins a period of expansion with its products of natural origin, ginkor®, Tanakan® and Smecta®. During this period, Ipsen also opens a peptide products research facility near Boston university in the USA.

1980's

Ipsen forges ties with the Debiopharm company. This collaboration leads to the marketing of Decapeptyl®, launched in 1986. Decapeptyl® has been a key driver behind the group’s international expansion. Expansion continues with the opening of subsidiaries and offices outside France and the acquisition of external companies. Outside Europe, Ipsen establishes a commercial outpost in Southeast Asia by opening a regional office in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) in 1987.

1983

The group creates La Fondation Ipsen, which aims to foster interactions between leading scientists in the field of life sciences.

1992

Ipsen begins its development in China, starting with representative offices.

1994

Ipsen acquires the UK-based company Speywood, who develop Dysport®. This serves to strengthen the group’s presence in the UK and Northern Europe, and establishes a sales platform for its biological products.

1995

In France, Ipsen launches Somatuline®, its second sustained release peptide.

1996

Ipsen launches Forlax®, a product used to treat constipation.

1997

A subsidiary in China is set up to establish an active presence in the country.

1998

PAI LBO Fund, Paribas (now BNP Paribas), CDC Participations and the Schwabe family acquire significant shares in Mayroy, the holding company that controls the Ipsen group.

2000

Ipsen opens a manufacturing facility in China to produce Smecta® for the Chinese market.

2001-2002

Launch of Somatuline® Autogel® in the UK and France. Launch in other countries follows, strengthening Ipsen’s competitive position.

2003

Ipsen and Teijin enter into an agreement to develop and market four Ipsen products in Japan and a Teijin product for the treatment of gout in Europe.

2004

Through a partnership with Genentech, Ipsen launches NutropinAq® in 12 European countries, and Decapeptyl® in Germany. Ipsen also acquires the UK company Sterix, who specialise in steroid engineering.

2005

At its research site near Boston, the group inaugurates a biotechnology facility specialised in genetic engineering, industrial development, analysis and formulation of proteins, production, quality assurance and quality control.At the end of the year, the group’s shares are admitted to negotiations in Segment A of Euronext.

2006

A first marketing authorisation (MA) is granted for Ipsen’s botulinum toxin in aesthetic medicine indications in Western Europe (Germany). In the same year a first MA is granted for Somatuline® Autogel® in North America, as part of the strategic partnership entered into in July with Tercica.Ipsen also sign an agreement with Medicis to market its botulinum toxin in aesthetic medicine indications. Following the agreement signed in October 2003, roche announces their decision to exercise their option of exclusive rights to develop and market Ipsen’s patented anti-diabetic compound, a gLP-1 analogue.

2007

The group accelerates its development through multiple partnerships in several different therapeutic areas:
  • with MSD, for the use of Adrovance® in France
  • with Galderma, for the development, promotion and distribution of the group’s botulinum toxin type A products in aesthetic medicine indications
  • with GTF, transferring MAS for Ginkor Fort® for France, Monaco and Andorra as of 1 January 2008
  • with bioMérieux for the development of a companion test for a breast cancer drug (BN 83495)
  • with Celera genomics for a research programme aimed at developing biomarkers and pharmacogenomic tests for growth failure patients.
Ipsen also extends its alliance with the Erasmus university Medical Centre Rotterdam (Erasmus MC) in the Netherlands to develop products in the fields of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism.In the same year, an MA is obtained for Somatuline® Depot in the united States for the treatment of acromegaly, thus becoming the first product originating from Ipsen’s R&D to be approved by the FDA. An MA is granted for Increlex® by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of severe primary IGFD.
On 24 December, Ipsen’s shares are listed on the SBF 120 index in France.

2008

Ipsen and the Salk Institute sign a Memorandum of understanding to form the Ipsen Life Sciences Programme at the Salk Institute, aimed at advancing knowledge in the field of proliferative and degenerative diseases.
Adenuric® (febuxostat) receives an MA in the European union. This new product represents the first major breakthrough for the treatment of gout in over 40 years.
Ipsen enters a new stage in its expansion in the USA with three major acquisitions:
  • Tercica Inc. in endocrinology
  • Vernalis plc. and the US rights to Apokyn® in neurology
  • All active substances related to oBI-1 from octagen in haematology.
These operations are part of Ipsen’s strategy to establish a direct presence in North America, thereby extending the group’s international influence, its global portfolio of specialised products and its growth prospects.