Arix Bioscience and Ipsen sign a strategic agreement to develop and commercialise innovative therapies

LONDON (United Kingdom), PARIS (France) 21 FEBRUARY 2018: Arix Bioscience plc (LSE:ARIX) (“Arix”), a global healthcare and life science company supporting medical innovation, and Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR:IPSEY), a global specialty-driven biopharmaceutical company focused on innovation and specialty care, today announced a strategic agreement to develop and commercialise innovative therapies.

Arix will provide Ipsen with access to its unique network of professional and scientific advisors, and the chance to invest in opportunities in Arix’s new and existing businesses. In return, Ipsen will contribute research, development and commercial expertise to the partnership. Arix and Ipsen will collaborate to identify opportunities and jointly create new companies focused primarily on the development and commercialisation of innovative therapies for patients.

Joe Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of Arix Bioscience plc, commented: “This agreement brings together Ipsen’s deep expertise in drug development and commercialization with Arix’s proven capacity to identify new opportunities and build companies to develop innovative new therapies in areas of high unmet medical need. Arix is committed to acquiring interests in, and assisting in the development of, businesses that bring medical innovation and address important areas with limited available treatment options. We look forward to collaborating with Ipsen to identify new opportunities to drive innovation, improve patient outcomes and, ultimately, future value for our shareholders.”

David Meek, Chief Executive Officer of Ipsen, added: “We are committed to discovering and developing innovative therapeutic solutions for targeted debilitating diseases and improving the quality of life for patients. By building this relationship with Arix, we can benefit from Arix’s leading networks, advisors and businesses and can support these in turn with our R&D and commercialisation capabilities and expertise. We look forward to working together and supporting the next generation of companies developing life-changing medicines for patients.”

Arix made investments into 13 innovative life science companies in 2016 and 2017, with multiple value-creating milestones expected over the next 18 months. Arix expects to continue to build on its already rich pipeline to provide funding and expertise to additional new businesses in 2018.

For more information on Arix, please contact:
Arix Bioscience plc
Charlotte Parry, Investor Relations Manager
+44 (0)20 7290 1072
charlotte@arixbioscience.com

Consilium Strategic Communications
Mary-Jane Elliott, Jessica Hodgson, Ivar Milligan
+44 (0)20 3709 5700
arix@consilium-comms.com

For more information on Ipsen, please contact:
Media
Ian Weatherhead, Vice President Corporate External Communication
+44 (0)75 8423 0549
ian.weatherhead@ipsen.com

Brigitte Le Guennec
Senior Manager, Global External Communications
+33 (0)1 58 33 51 17
brigitte.le.guennec@ipsen.com

Financial Community
Eugenia Litz
+44 (0)17 5362 7721
eugenia.litz@ipsen.com