Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) announces that it has signed an agreement to take an equity stake in Akkadeas Pharma with an option to take control of the company in the future. Akkadeas Pharma is a privately-held consumer health care company in Italy with a diversified gastrointestinal-focused portfolio including probiotics, medical devices and food supplements. As part of the transaction, Akkadeas Pharma will become Ipsen’s Italian distributor for Smecta^® (Diosmectal^®).

Jean Fabre, Executive Vice President Primary Care of Ipsen said: “This strategic transaction will allow Ipsen’s Primary Care business to strengthen its presence in Italy, a key European country for the business unit. It represents an attractive opportunity to accelerate Ipsen’s Primary Care business, bringing in an established commercial infrastructure to distribute Smecta^® and generate instant incremental revenue, with the potential to further leverage as the market develops”.