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Ipsen will thus be able to propose Decapeptyl(R) in a wider range oftreatment regimens, allowing further adaptation to the therapeutic needs ofcancer patients.
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Under the terms of this agreement, the royalties paid by Ipsen toDebiopharm until July 2010 will remain unchanged. After this date, Ipsen willcontinue to pay royalties on its sales of all formulations of Decapeptyl(R).Ipsen and Debiopharm will share development costs of the 6 month formulationonce it is approved in one major country in Europe. Ipsen will thereafterexclusively purchase Decapeptyl(R) (triptorelin pamoate) 6 month fromDebiopharm's cGMP(2) FDA inspected development and production facility inMartigny, Switzerland, whilst the royalty rate for the entire franchise willstand in the mid-single digit range.
Stephane Thiroloix, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development ofIpsen said "We are very pleased to have extended our relationship with ourlong-standing partner Debiopharm. This agreement should further enable Ipsento provide patients and physicians with enhancements to a well-establishedtherapeutic standard. Beyond the opportunities inherent to this deal, we havenow decided to focus our own current development effort on our in-housesustained release innovative formulations of triptorelin, capitalizing on ourproprietary technologies and currently in pre-clinical phase, that we believewill constitute the next generation for this drug."
Kim Bill, Vice President, Corporate Development of Debiopharm added "Ourcollaboration with Ipsen has lasted more than 20 years. This agreement istestament to the excellence of our product, Decapeptyl(R), Ipsen's top product,to Debiopharm's tenacity and capability in drug development and life cyclemanagement strategies, as well as the strength of Debiopharm and Ipsen'srelationship. Debiopharm continues its' strive for developing excellent drugsadapted to today's and tomorrow's needs."
About Decapeptyl(R)
Decapeptyl(R) is a peptide formulation for injection that was initiallydeveloped and continues to be used mainly in the treatment of advancedmetastatic prostate cancer. Additional indications developed subsequentlyinclude the treatment of uterine fibroids (a benign tumour of muscle tissuesin the uterus), endometriosis (proliferation of endometrial tissue, the mucousmembrane that lines the uterine wall outside the reproductive tract) prior tosurgery or when surgery is not deemed appropriate, as well as early onsetpuberty and female infertility (in vitro fertilisation). Decapeptyl(R) isavailable in monthly or quarterly sustained-release formulations, as well as adaily formulation. The active substance in Decapeptyl(R) is triptorelin, adecapeptide analogue of GnRH (Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone), a hormonesecreted by the hypothalamus, which initially stimulates the release ofpituitary gonadotrophins (hormones produced by the pituitary gland), which inturn control hormonal secretions by the testes and ovaries
