Ipsen and Debiopharm Extend Their Agreement for the Exclusive Commercialization of Decapeptyl(R) (triptorelin pamoate) in Europe and Certain Other T...( PARIS and LAUSANNE Switzerland Oc...),Health

PARIS and LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Ipsen (Euronext: FR0010259150; IPN) and Debiopharm Group (Debiopharm), a global independent biopharmaceutical development specialist in oncology and serious medical conditions today announced the extension of their agreement, whereby Ipsen exclusively in-licenses know-how and new patent applications for the commercialization rights of Decapeptyl(R) (triptorelin pamoate) in the world excluding North America, and some other countries (Sweden, Israel, Iran and Japan). This new agreement will last for a minimum of 5 years, with a 2 year termination period, after the patent expiry of the current marketed formulations in July 2010. It further enables Ipsen to access future sustained-release formulations of Decapeptyl(R)(1) developed by Debiopharm, among which a 6 month sustained release formulation that has completed phase III clinical trials and is expected to be filed by Debiopharm in 2008.

Ipsen will thus be able to propose Decapeptyl(R) in a wider range of treatment regimens, allowing further adaptation to the therapeutic needs of cancer patients.

Under the terms of this agreement, the royalties paid by Ipsen to Debiopharm until July 2010 will remain unchanged. After this date, Ipsen will continue to pay royalties on its sales of all formulations of Decapeptyl(R). Ipsen and Debiopharm will share development costs of the 6 month formulation once it is approved in one major country in Europe. Ipsen will thereafter exclusively purchase Decapeptyl(R) (triptorelin pamoate) 6 month from Debiopharm's cGMP(2) FDA inspected development and production facility in Martigny, Switzerland, whilst the royalty rate for the entire franchise will stand in the mid-single digit range.

Stephane Thiroloix, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development of Ipsen said "We are very pleased to have extended our relationship with our long-standing partner Debiopharm. This agreement should further enable Ipsen to
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