Ipsen’s long-standing expertise in Consumer Healthcare spans the value chain, from active ingredient, to finished product, to the patient, with special expertise in gastrointestinal (GI) disorders.
Consumer Healthcare
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Our history
Ipsen’s history shows how entrepreneurship, ambition and tenacity have transformed the small-town French pharmacy created in 1929, into a global leader in specialty care. With this same mindset, we are transforming our heritage in primary care into a successful Consumer HealthCare division with a global outlook.
Over the decades, we have developed an expertise in clay-based products as well as Gingko Biloba natural extracts. This expertise has led to the launch of brands such as smecta® for diarrhea, forlax® for constipation, Fortrans® and Eziclen®/Izinova® colon-cleansing solutions, tanakan® for cognitive disorders.
Today
Since 2015, we have been revitalizing this activity by enriching our capabilities, reinforcing our portfolio and expanding our geographical footprint.
New formulations and new partnerships have been developed to better serve the needs of patients around the world. Our 1600 employees, work every day at creating a growing, autonomous and sustainable division.
Always looking ahead
As an illustration of our transformation, 3 recent actions are highlighted
First, in 2016 we signed an agreement with the Swedish firm Probi for the commercialization of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (LP299V®).
Second, in 2017 we acquired (from Sanofi) five consumer healthcare products in certain European territories. This transaction further accelerated the development of our Consumer HealthCare business and our conversion into an OTx (combined prescription and over-the-counter) business model.
Finally, in 2018 we acquired 100% of the Italian company Akkadeas Pharma, whose diversified portfolio includes probiotics, medical devices and food supplements. In addition to providing a springboard for Ipsen’s future development in Italy, Akkadeas has become our Italian distributor for smecta® (distributed under the brand name Diosmectal® in Italy).
Key facts
- 10 key brands for 4 main diseases or health conditions: gastrointestinal, cognitive disorders, pain, cough and cold.
- A presence in 70 countries, making us a major player in gastrointestinal (GI) disorders.
- More than 1600 employees who contribute to our success and reputation worldwide, and who strive to protect the health and well-being of thousands of patients and families, with passion and professionalism.
