Ipsen US Awards up to $300,000 for Dystonia Fellowship Grants in 2013

BASKING RIDGE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ipsen’s (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) North American Operations subsidiary, Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals Inc., today announced its commitment to award up to $300,000 in grants to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation’s (DMRF) 2013 Clinical Fellowship Training Program. The Company’s contribution will provide up to four one-year fellowship grants, at $75,000 each, to address current challenges for physicians in the evaluation and treatment of dystonia – a neurological movement disorder that causes involuntary muscle spasms.

“At Ipsen, we recognize that developing innovative medicines is just one piece of the puzzle – physician education is paramount to connecting life-enhancing therapies with the patients who need them most”

“Despite recent advances in research and treatment, dystonia patients still report difficulty in locating physicians who know how to evaluate and appropriately treat their individual needs,” said Art Kessler, President, Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. “Dystonia is a multi-faceted neurological disorder – and too often diagnosis is delayed or missed. On behalf of the dystonia patient community, we are grateful for Ipsen’s dedication to our cause and generous contribution to advance specialized physician education.”

In its second year, the DMRF Clinical Fellowship Training Program will focus on clinical diagnosis and evaluation, ongoing patient care and management, pharmacotherapy with emphasis on neurotoxin therapy and neurosurgical interventions. Training will be patient-oriented and include hands-on experience in clinics and professional workshops.

“At Ipsen, we recognize that developing innovative medicines is just one piece of the puzzle – physician education is paramount to connecting life-enhancing therapies with the patients who need them most,” said Sean McKercher, President and General Manager, Ipsen North America. “Ipsen is proud to partner with the DMRF to ensure patients have access to optimal care beyond the research pipeline. Our hope is that funding the DMRF Clinical Fellowship Training Program will result ultimately in improving patient outcomes – a goal central to the Ipsen mission.”

Dystonia affects men, women and children of all backgrounds, and estimates¹ suggest approximately 300,000 people in North America suffer from the disorder. Multiple treatment options exist, but there presently is no cure for dystonia and its characteristic involuntary muscle contractions and spasms causing mild to severe degrees of disability and pain.

Fellowship applications are due November 8, 2012, and grants will be awarded by July 1, 2013. For more information about the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation and the Clinical Fellowship Training Program, visit: http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/.

About the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation

Founded in 1976, the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to serving all people with dystonia and their families. Since its inception, the DMRF has grown from a small family-based foundation into a dynamic membership-driven organization led by a Board of Directors and network of volunteers with personal connections to dystonia. Because dystonia hits so close to home for our directors and volunteers, the DMRF leadership is motivated by an unrelenting drive to find a cure and an unwavering commitment to serving people affected by dystonia.

About Ipsen

Ipsen US-based operations is a subsidiary of Ipsen, a global specialty-driven pharmaceutical company with total sales exceeding €1.1 billion in 2011. Ipsen’s ambition is to become a leader in specialty healthcare solutions for targeted debilitating diseases. Its development strategy is supported by four franchises: neurology, endocrinology, uro-oncology and hemophilia. Moreover, the Group has an active policy of partnerships. R&D is focused on innovative and differentiated technological patient driven platforms, peptides and toxins. In 2011, R&D expenditure totaled more than €250 million, above 21% of Group sales. The Group has total worldwide staff of close to 4,500 employees. Ipsen’s shares are traded on segment A of Euronext Paris (stock code: IPN, ISIN code: FR0010259150) and eligible to the “Service de Règlement Différé” (“SRD”). The Group is part of the SBF 120 index. Ipsen has implemented a Sponsored Level I American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program, which trade on the over-the-counter market in the United States under the symbol IPSEY. For more information on Ipsen, visit www.ipsen.com.

Forward Looking Statement (US)

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¹ Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. “What is Dystonia?” Accessed online Oct. 22, 2012. http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/what_is_dystonia_/26.php