Ipsen and CNRS Create the "Archi-Pex" Joint Research and Innovation Lab, in Collaboration with the University of Rennes 1 and CEA

Regulatory News:

IPSEN (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) and French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) today announced the creation of the Archi-Pex (peptide architectures and formulations) joint research and innovation lab in collaboration with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and the University of Rennes 1. This is the result of a public-private partnership active since 1999. The joint Archi-Pex lab, supported by the French National Research Agency, seeks to conduct multi-disciplinary research bringing together academic teams in physics and biology with the researchers at Ipsen's center for pharmaceutical development based in Dreux (France). The aim is to innovate in the formulation of hormonal peptides and to reduce the development time. Understanding of the pharmaceutical efficacy arising from basic knowledge is the key to Archi-Pex project.

Giancarlo Faini, Deputy Director of the CNRS Institute of Physics said: “Archi- Pex is a very good example of the approaches adopted by the CNRS in the development of innovation. It will facilitate the transfer of high scientific knowledge to the socio-economic world.”

Jean-Claude Michalski, Deputy director of the CNRS Institute of Biological Sciences specified: “This joint lab demonstrates again the strength of interdisciplinarity ; these new concepts, new methodologies and innovative solutions have been achieved thanks to the cooperation between the different disciplines of the CNRS, particularly biology and physics, in close relation with Ipsen.”

Jonathan Barnsley, Executive Vice President, Technical Operations of Ipsen, said: "The launch of Archi-Pex is the crowning venture in the successful public-private research partnership between Ipsen, CNRS, CEA and the University of Rennes 1. It is a clear demonstration of the high quality research conducted by Ipsen. The goal of this close collaboration is to drive innovation for the benefit of patients with disabling conditions."

Claude Bertrand, Executive Vice President, R&D, Chief Scientific Officer of Ipsen, added: "This partnership is the perfect illustration of Ipsen's strategy of focusing on peptides and our approach to open innovation in Research and Development. The aims of this project are to extend the period of release of peptide active agents to further reduce dosage frequency, and to examine possible new routes of administration for Ipsen's flagship molecules. We also seek to optimize the time between research, innovation and development."

Archi-Pex will focus on developing new sustained-release formulations based on peptide self-assemblies and on accelerating the development of alternative drug delivery systems (for example oral or transdermal), particularly in endocrinology.

Over the course of 15 years, this collaboration has led to major scientific and medical advances for the development of pharmaceutical peptides. For example, the sustained-release formulation of lanreotide consists only of water and the active agent and delivers an exceptional release period of 28 days. Understanding the basic mechanisms underlying these remarkable properties, the culmination of a collaboration between Ipsen and the CNRS, supported registration of certain Ipsen’s products.

About Ipsen
Ipsen is a global specialty-driven pharmaceutical company with total sales exceeding €1.2 billion in 2013. Ipsen’s ambition is to become a leader in specialty healthcare solutions for targeted debilitating diseases. Its development strategy is supported by 3 franchises: neurology, endocrinology and uro-oncology. Moreover, the Group has an active policy of partnerships. Ipsen's R&D is focused on its innovative and differentiated technological platforms, peptides and toxins. In 2013, R&D expenditure totaled close to €260 million, representing more than 21% of Group sales. Moreover, Ipsen also has a significant presence in primary care. The Group has close to 4,600 employees worldwide. Ipsen’s shares are traded on segment A of Euronext Paris (stock code: IPN, ISIN code: FR0010259150) and eligible to the “Service de Règlement Différé” (“SRD”). The Group is part of the SBF 120 index. Ipsen has implemented a Sponsored Level I American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program, which trade on the over-the-counter market in the United States under the symbol IPSEY. For more information, visit www.ipsen.com.

About CNRS

Founded in 1939, the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (National Center for Scientific Research) is a public organization under the responsibility of the French Ministry of Education and Research. It produces knowledge and makes it available to serve society. With nearly 33,000 employees, distribution throughout France, CNRS produces science in all fields of knowledge, relying on more than 1100 research and service units. With 20 Nobel laureates and 12 Fields prize winners, CNRS has a long tradition of excellence. For further information, click on: http://www.cnrs.fr/index.php

About the CEA

The French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission (CEA) is a world leader in research, development and innovation in the four main fields of low-carbon energies (nuclear and renewable), information technology and health technology, Very Large Research Infrastructure, and defense and security. The CEA Life Sciences Division (DSV), directly involved in the creation of Archi-Pex, is one of the five Operational Sectors of the CEA. The Division brings together 1250 in-house researchers, engineers and technicians, together with 450 researchers, engineers and technicians from partner institutions. Together they constitute a center of excellence in research and technological development in areas addressing two of the major challenges facing society today; health and energy. For more information on the DSV, visit: http://www-dsv.cea.fr/

About the University of Rennes 1

An interdisciplinary university with a strong emphasis on Science, Rennes 1 brings together on 3 campuses in Rennes and 5 sites in Brittany: Health (Medicine, Pharmacy, Odontology, Maieutics); Human and Social Sciences (Law, Economy, Management and Philosophy); Physics, Chemistry and Mechanics; Biology and Environment; Mathematics, Computing and Electronics.

The University of Rennes 1 welcomes 27.000 students and awards 10.000 diplomas a year, among which 250 PhD.

As an intensive Research University, Rennes 1 focuses on axes of excellence and is thus named among the few other French institutions listed in major international rankings. Associated up to 90 % with national research organisms (CNRS, Inserm, Inria, INRA), the researchers of the university, through 31 research units, are dedicated to working at the core of the great challenges facing tomorrow’s society.

Ipsen’s Forward Looking Statements

The forward-looking statements, objectives and targets contained herein are based on the Group’s management strategy, 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. All of the above risks could affect the Group’s future ability to achieve its financial targets, which were set assuming reasonable macroeconomic conditions based on the information available today. Use of the words "believes," "anticipates" and "expects" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, including the Group’s expectations regarding future events, including regulatory filings and determinations. Moreover, the targets described in this document were prepared without taking into account external growth assumptions and potential future acquisitions, which may alter these parameters. These objectives are based on data and assumptions regarded as reasonable by the Group. These targets depend on conditions or facts likely to happen in the future, and not exclusively on historical data. Actual results may depart significantly from these targets given the occurrence of certain risks and uncertainties, notably the fact that a promising product in early development phase or clinical trial may end up never being launched on the market or reaching its commercial targets, notably for regulatory or competition reasons. The Group must face or might face competition from generic products that might translate into a loss of market share. Furthermore, the Research and Development process involves several stages each of which involves the substantial risk that the Group may fail to achieve its objectives and be forced to abandon its efforts with regards to a product in which it has invested significant sums. 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. There can be no guarantees a product will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that the product will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Other risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the Group's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the Group’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions. The Group also depends on third parties to develop and market some of its products which could potentially generate substantial royalties; these partners could behave in such ways which could cause damage to the Group’s activities and financial results. The Group cannot be certain that its partners will fulfil their obligations. It might be unable to obtain any benefit from those agreements. A default by any of the Group’s partners could generate lower revenues than expected. Such situations could have a negative impact on the Group’s business, financial position or performance. The Group 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. The Group’s business is subject to the risk factors outlined in its registration documents filed with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers.

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Contact information

IPSEN:
Media
Didier Véron
Senior Vice-President, Public Affairs and Communication
Tel.: +33 (0)1 58 33 51 16
Fax: +33 (0)1 58 33 50 58
E-mail: didier.veron@ipsen.com
or
Financial Community
Stéphane Durant des Aulnois
Investor Relations Director
Tel.: +33 (0)1 58 33 60 09
Fax: +33 (0)1 58 33 50 63
E-mail: stephane.durant.des.aulnois@ipsen.com
or
Brigitte Le Guennec
Corporate External Communication Manager
Tel.: +33 (0)1 58 33 51 17
Fax: +33 (0)1 58 33 50 58
E-mail: brigitte.le.guennec@ipsen.com
or
Thomas Peny-Coblentz, CFA
Investor Relations Deputy Director
Tel.: +33 (0)1 58 33 56 36
Fax: +33 (0)1 58 33 50 63
E-mail: thomas.peny-coblentz@ipsen.com
or
CNRS:
Priscilla Dacher
Acting head of press office
Communications Department
Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 96 46 06
E-mail: priscilla.dacher@cnrs-dir.fr
or
Elodie Vignier
Press Office
Communications Department
Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 96 44 42
E-mail: elodie.vignier@cnrs-dir.fr
or
CEA:
Léa Roos
Press Officer
Tel.: +33 (0)1 64 50 20 97
E-mail: lea.roos@cea.fr
or
University of Rennes 1:
Julien Le Bonheur
Senior science communications officer
Tel.: +33 (0)2 23 23 53 38
Fax: +33 (0)2 23 23 36 00
E-mail: julien.le-bonheur@univ-rennes1.fr