Ipsen
Corporate brand
UnclaimedFrench multinational biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing medicines in oncology, rare diseases, and neuroscience.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Ipsen is a French biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Paris and focused on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of specialty medicines. Its principal therapeutic areas are oncology, rare diseases, and neuroscience. The company’s portfolio includes treatments for cancers, neuroendocrine tumors, endocrine disorders, rare liver diseases, rare bone disorders, and conditions involving muscle spasticity or involuntary contractions. Its brands include Somatuline, Cabometyx, Onivyde, Dysport, Decapeptyl, Bylvay, Iqirvo, Sohonos, and Tazverik, although product availability and regulatory status vary by country and over time. The business originated in 1929, when physician Henri Beaufour established Beaufour Laboratories in Dreux, France. The company initially developed medicines for digestive disorders and expanded through new manufacturing sites, research facilities, international subsidiaries, and licensing relationships. Its international identity was reinforced through the creation of the Ipsen subsidiary in 1975 and the corporate name change to Ipsen in 2003. It became publicly traded on Euronext Paris in 2005 and was included in the SBF 120 index in 2007. Ipsen has historically remained controlled by the Beaufour family while operating as a listed company. Reference material describes medicines registered in dozens of countries, direct commercial operations in more than 30 countries, approximately 5,000 employees, four global research and development hubs, and three pharmaceutical development centers. The company’s strategy has increasingly emphasized specialty medicines and externally sourced innovation, including acquisitions and licensing transactions in oncology and rare diseases. Important examples include the licensing of cabozantinib from Exelixis, the acquisition of assets from Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, the acquisition of Clementia Pharmaceuticals, the purchase of Epizyme, and the acquisition of Albireo. Ipsen also has a long-standing scientific and social-impact arm, Fondation Ipsen, established in 1983 under the aegis of Fondation de France. The foundation supports therapeutic research, scientific exchange, and education concerning rare diseases. Ipsen sold its Consumer Healthcare business to Mayoly Spindler in 2022, illustrating the company’s continuing focus on prescription specialty medicines rather than consumer health products. Its present profile is that of a focused, internationally operating biopharmaceutical company combining proprietary research, partnerships, licensing, and acquisitions.
History
Ipsen began in 1929 as Beaufour Laboratories, founded by physician Henri Beaufour in Dreux. Its first marketed product was Romarene, a rosemary-based digestive medicine that was later withdrawn from the market in 2011. During the 1950s and 1960s, the company expanded its product range and industrial infrastructure. It launched betaine citrate in 1954, opened a Dreux factory in 1961, established a second manufacturing site at L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue in 1965, and opened a research center at Plessis-Robinson that same year. Beaufour’s sons Albert and Gérard joined the business during this period. The company created the Ipsen subsidiary in 1975 and began a more deliberate international expansion. A U.S. research center opened in Milford, Massachusetts, in 1976, and Smecta was launched in 1977. In 1983, the group created Fondation Ipsen under Fondation de France to support therapeutic research and scientific exchange. Decapeptyl, a triptorelin-based hormone analogue, was introduced in 1986 and became an important product in oncology and reproductive-endocrinology-related indications. The 1990s brought further industrial and international development. Ipsen established an industrial center in Signes in 1990, opened a Chinese subsidiary in 1992, and entered Russia in 1994. That year it acquired the British company Speywood, then associated with Porton International, and launched Dysport, a botulinum toxin type A product. Somatuline was launched in 1995 for conditions including acromegaly and later neuroendocrine tumors, followed by Forlax in 1996. After Albert Beaufour’s death in 2000, control passed to the next generation of the Beaufour family. The group adopted Ipsen as its corporate name in 2003. It listed on Euronext Paris in 2005 and entered the SBF 120 index in 2007. During the same period, it expanded its botulinum toxin operations, including a new production unit in Wrexham, United Kingdom, and formed a partnership with Galderma for aesthetic-medicine applications. Somatuline and Dysport also received important U.S. and European regulatory approvals during the decade. In 2011, Ipsen announced a strategy centered on specialty medicines, research and development, and international growth. It acquired Syntaxin in 2013 to strengthen its recombinant botulinum toxin capabilities and participated in the Archi-Pex research laboratory created with French public research organizations in 2014. A research and development center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was inaugurated in 2015. Dysport received a U.S. approval for lower-limb spasticity in children in 2016, while Ipsen licensed cabozantinib from Exelixis. In 2017, it acquired selected Merrimack assets, including Onivyde. The company increased its rare-disease presence through its 2019 acquisition of Clementia Pharmaceuticals, obtaining palovarotene for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. It divested Consumer Healthcare to Mayoly Spindler in 2022 and completed the acquisition of Epizyme later that year, adding Tazverik and an early-stage SETD2 inhibitor program. In 2023, Ipsen announced the acquisition of Albireo, adding Bylvay for pediatric cholestatic liver disease. Subsequent regulatory milestones included U.S. approval of Sohonos in 2023, expanded first-line use of Onivyde in 2024, and accelerated U.S. approval of Iqirvo in 2024. The company’s development model now combines focused internal science with acquisitions, licensing, and commercial partnerships across its three core therapeutic areas.
- 2024
Iqirvo receives U.S. accelerated approval
[3]Elafibranor received accelerated approval for specified adults with primary biliary cholangitis.
- 2023
Albireo acquisition announced
[1]The proposed acquisition added Bylvay and strengthened the rare-liver-disease portfolio.
- 2023
Sohonos approved in the United States
[3]The FDA approved palovarotene for eligible patients with FOP.
- 2022
Consumer Healthcare divested
[1]Ipsen completed the sale of its Consumer Healthcare business to Mayoly Spindler.
- 2022
Epizyme acquisition completed
[1]Ipsen added Tazverik and associated oncology research assets.
- 2019
Clementia Pharmaceuticals acquired
[1]The transaction expanded Ipsen’s rare-disease pipeline with palovarotene for FOP.
- 2017
Merrimack oncology assets acquired
[1]Ipsen acquired selected Merrimack assets, including Onivyde.
- 2016
Cabozantinib licensed from Exelixis
[1]Ipsen obtained rights to cabozantinib, later commercialized as Cabometyx in relevant markets.
- 2013
Syntaxin acquired
[1]The acquisition strengthened Ipsen’s expertise in engineered recombinant botulinum toxins.
- 2005
Listed on Euronext Paris
[1]Ipsen became a publicly traded company on Euronext Paris.
Products and positioning
A specialty biopharmaceutical company concentrating resources on oncology, rare diseases, and neuroscience, with a portfolio built through internal research, licensing, partnerships, and acquisitions.
Neuroscience · 1994
Dysport
Dysport is a botulinum toxin type A prescription medicine used in several markets for conditions involving involuntary muscle contractions and spasticity. Depending on jurisdiction, indications include selected dystonias and upper- or lower-limb spasticity. It is also used in aesthetic medicine to temporarily reduce the appearance of certain facial lines. Approved uses, dosing, and labeling differ by country.
Oncology and endocrinology · 1995
Somatuline
Somatuline is the brand name for lanreotide, a long-acting somatostatin analogue. It is used in relevant markets for acromegaly and for selected neuroendocrine tumors, with additional indications such as carcinoid syndrome depending on local approvals. The product is a major part of Ipsen’s specialty-medicine portfolio.
Oncology · 2016
Cabometyx
Cabometyx contains cabozantinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor licensed from Exelixis. It is used in approved markets for advanced renal cell carcinoma and selected liver or thyroid cancers, depending on treatment history and regulatory labeling. Its commercial role reflects Ipsen’s strategy of adding differentiated oncology products through external innovation.
Oncology · 2017
Onivyde
Onivyde is a liposomal formulation of irinotecan used in combination regimens for metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Ipsen acquired the product through its transaction involving selected Merrimack assets. In 2024, the U.S. FDA approved a first-line regimen combining Onivyde with oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin for metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Oncology and endocrinology · 1986
Decapeptyl
Decapeptyl contains triptorelin, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue. It is used in different markets for hormone-sensitive conditions including prostate cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, central precocious puberty, and assisted-reproduction protocols. It has been one of the company’s long-established hormone-related medicines since its introduction in the 1980s.
Rare diseases · 2021
Bylvay
Bylvay contains odevixibat, a non-systemic ileal bile acid transport inhibitor. It is used for cholestatic pruritus associated with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis and, in relevant jurisdictions, Alagille syndrome. Age thresholds and approved indications vary between the United States, European Union, and other markets.
Rare diseases · 2024
Iqirvo
Iqirvo contains elafibranor, an oral PPAR-alpha/delta agonist for primary biliary cholangitis. In the United States it received accelerated approval for adults with an inadequate response to ursodeoxycholic acid or who cannot tolerate it. Regulatory status and conditions of use differ by market.
Rare diseases · 2023
Sohonos
Sohonos contains palovarotene and was developed for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, an ultra-rare genetic disorder characterized by progressive heterotopic bone formation. The FDA approved it in 2023 for specified adults and children, with age and sex criteria in the approved U.S. labeling.
Oncology · 2020
Tazverik
Tazverik contains tazemetostat, an EZH2 inhibitor acquired through Ipsen’s purchase of Epizyme. It received U.S. accelerated approvals for specified follicular lymphoma and epithelioid sarcoma indications. Because accelerated approvals depend on confirmatory evidence and regulatory reassessment, its commercial and regulatory status should be checked against current authority and company notices.
Brand decisions
2023
Albireo acquisitionM&ABackground
Ipsen aimed to strengthen its rare-disease presence, particularly in pediatric liver disease.
Action taken
Ipsen announced an agreement to acquire Albireo and its lead medicine Bylvay.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded Ipsen’s rare-disease portfolio into cholestatic liver disorders.
Transaction value. $952 million (Announced January 2023)
2022
Consumer Healthcare divestmentM&ABackground
Ipsen sought to concentrate on prescription specialty medicines and entered exclusive negotiations with Mayoly Spindler.
Action taken
The company sold its Consumer Healthcare division to Mayoly Spindler, completing the transaction in July 2022.
Aftermath
The divestment reduced Ipsen’s exposure to consumer health and supported its specialty-biopharmaceutical positioning.
2022
Epizyme acquisitionM&ABackground
Ipsen sought to expand its oncology portfolio and obtain a commercialized EZH2 inhibitor.
Action taken
Ipsen completed the acquisition of Epizyme, including Tazverik and an oral SETD2 inhibitor development candidate.
Aftermath
The transaction broadened Ipsen’s oncology capabilities in targeted and epigenetic therapies.
2011
Refocus on specialty medicinesStrategyBackground
Ipsen identified specialty medicines, research and development, and international development as central strategic priorities.
Action taken
The company reorganized its strategic emphasis around its specialty pharmaceutical activities and core therapeutic areas.
Aftermath
The strategy preceded later licensing and acquisition activity in oncology and rare diseases.
Recent events
Reported
Ipsen completes acquisition of Kartos Therapeutics[4]
Ipsen announced on 21 August 2026 that it completed the acquisition of Kartos Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, adding the late-stage MDM2 inhibitor navtemadlin, which is in Phase III clinical development for myelofibrosis.
Reported
Ipsen announces Steven Hildemann as chief medical officer[5]
Ipsen announced the appointment of Dr. Steven Hildemann as Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Head of Global Medical Affairs and Pharmacovigilance, effective March 1, 2020.
Reported
Ipsen appoints Howard Mayer to lead R&D[6]
Ipsen announced the appointment of Howard Mayer as Executive Vice President and Head of Research and Development, effective December 1, 2019. He succeeds Alexandre Lebeaut, who is to retire at the end of the year.
Sources8 sources
- 1Ipsenen.wikipedia.org
- 2Ipsen corporate websiteipsen.com
- 3U.S. Food and Drug Administrationfda.gov
- 4益普生完成对Kartos Therapeutics的收购leaderpost.com
- 5Ipsen宣布任命Steven Hildemann为首席医疗官finanznachrichten.de
- 6Ipsen任命Howard Mayer负责研发calgarysun.com
- 7Ipsen completes acquisition of Kartos Therapeutics, strengthening late-stage Oncology pipeline | Company Announcement | Investegateinvestegate.co.uk
- 8Ipsen Pharma: Ipsen completes acquisition of Kartos Therapeutics, strengthening late-stage Oncology pipelinefinanznachrichten.de
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