Ipsen
Ipsen is a French specialty biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes therapeutics in oncology, rare disease, and neuroscience across 30+ countries, combining in-house biologics and toxin platforms with an active licensing and M&A-led pipeline expansion strategy.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1929
- HeadquartersBoulogne-billancourt, France
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ipsen does
Ipsen is a publicly traded French specialty biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Boulogne-Billancourt, focused on three therapeutic areas: oncology, rare disease, and neuroscience. The company develops, in-licenses, and commercializes small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and recombinant neuroinhibitors (notably corabotase/IPN10200, the first WHO/USAN-designated Recombinant NeuroInhibitor). Its marketed portfolio spans Dysport (botulinum toxin for spasticity and aesthetics), Cabometyx, Somatuline, and Onivyde in oncology; Bylvay, Iqirvo, and Sohonos in rare liver and ultra-rare disease; and Ojemda in pediatric low-grade glioma, supplemented by an in-licensed and acquired pipeline (ICT01, navtemadlin, IPN01203, IPN60300).
Ipsen's business model combines direct global commercialization with strategic licensing and M&A. The company sells through direct enterprise field sales teams, medical science liaisons, and key account managers targeting academic medical centers, hospital systems, and specialty pharmacies across 30+ countries; aesthetics distribution for Dysport runs through Galderma. Revenue is augmented by royalties and milestones from partnerships such as GENFIT (Iqirvo) and contract manufacturing through Quotient Sciences. The model is roll-up in nature: Ipsen has acquired Epizyme ($247M, 2022), Albireo ($886M, 2023), ImCheck (up to EUR 1B, 2025), and announced Kartos (up to $1.75B, 2026), funded by product cash flow, EUR 3.2B in firepower, and a EUR 1.5B revolving credit facility.
In FY2025 the company generated EUR 3.68B in total sales (10.9% growth at constant exchange rates), EUR 1.29B in core operating income (35.2% margin), and EUR 754M in R&D investment, with Q1 2026 sales up 22.6% and 2026 guidance above 13% growth at constant exchange rates. The pipeline is concentrated in late-stage oncology (navtemadlin Phase III), immuno-oncology (ICT01, IPN01203), and next-generation neurotoxins (corabotase), with rare disease and pediatric indications providing differentiated orphan-drug economics.
Ipsen firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ipsen
- Legal name
- Ipsen Pharma
- Website
- http://www.ipsen.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1929
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Ipsen is a French specialty biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes therapeutics in oncology, rare disease, and neuroscience across 30+ countries, combining in-house biologics and toxin platforms with an active licensing and M&A-led pipeline expansion strategy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ipsen industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Biopharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Neurology & CNS Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Neurology & Psychiatry (CNS) Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAF), Immunology & Autoimmune Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAB)
Keywords
Where Ipsen is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boulogne-billancourt
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Ipsen business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Operations
Revenue model
- Product Sales - Oncology: Direct pharmaceutical product sales across oncology portfolio including Cabometyx (cabozantinib), Onivyde, Tazverik (withdrawn 2026), Somatuline, and newly acquired assets. Sales through hospital and specialty pharmacy channels globally.
- Product Sales - Rare Disease: Direct sales of rare disease treatments including Bylvay (odevixibat), Iqirvo (elafibranor), and Sohonos (palovarotene) through specialty distribution channels.
- Product Sales - Neuroscience: Sales of Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) for therapeutic and aesthetic indications, primarily through Galderma partnership for aesthetics.
- Royalties from Licensing - GENFIT: Ongoing royalty payments from GENFIT based on Iqirvo net sales for Primary Biliary Cholangitis, generating EUR 21.8 million in 2025 royalties.
- Milestone Payments: Development and regulatory milestone payments received from partners including triggered payments when sales thresholds are exceeded, such as the US$20M milestone from Iqirvo exceeding US$200M net sales threshold.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Ipsen product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ipsen is a global specialty biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription medicines in three therapeutic areas: Oncology (e.g., Cabometyx, Somatuline, Onivyde), Rare Disease (e.g., Bylvay, Iqirvo, Sohonos), and Neuroscience (e.g., Dysport). Its portfolio combines in-house pipeline assets, in-licensed products, and brands acquired through M&A (Epizyme, Albireo, ImCheck, Kartos), sold through direct field sales, specialty pharmacy, hospital channels, and a Galderma aesthetics partnership across 30+ countries.
Product overview
Ipsen is a global biopharmaceutical company with a diversified portfolio of specialty medicines across three therapeutic areas: Oncology (including neuroendocrine tumors, kidney, liver, pancreas, thyroid, prostate and breast cancers, and hematology), Rare Disease (rare liver diseases including PFIC, PBC, Alagille syndrome, biliary atresia, and ultra-rare bone diseases like FOP), and Neuroscience (spasticity, cervical dystonia, and medical aesthetics). The company's product portfolio consists of both in-house developed medicines and acquired brands, including key products like Dysport (botulinum toxin), Bylvay (for rare liver diseases), Iqirvo (for PBC), Somatuline, Onivyde, and Cabometyx. Ipsen has actively expanded through acquisitions including Epizyme (Tazverik), Albireo (Bylvay, Sohonos), ImCheck Therapeutics (ICT01), and Kartos Therapeutics (navtemadlin), as well as licensing agreements for Ojemda (tovorafenib) and corabotase as a first-in-class recombinant neuroinhibitor. The pipeline includes early-stage immuno-oncology programs (IPN01203, IPN60300) developed through partnerships with Marengo Therapeutics and Foreseen Biotechnology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Fondation Ipsen: Social and educational foundation established to raise awareness of rare diseases, under the aegis of Fondation de France
Products and services
- Cabometyx (cabozantinib)
- Somatuline (lanreotide)
- Onivyde (irinotecan)
- Ojemda (tovorafenib)
- Bylvay (odevixibat)
- Iqirvo (elafibranor)
- Sohonos (palovarotene)
- Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA)
- corabotase (IPN10200)
- ICT01 (IPN60340)
- navtemadlin
- IPN01203
- IPN60300
Quantifiable outcome
- 10.9% sales growth at constant exchange rates in 2025
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Ipsen
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Ipsen technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Ipsen partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.
- Simcere ZaimingminorLicensing agreement for an antibody-drug conjugate targeting LRCC15, announced February 2026.
- Quotient SciencescoreExtended commercial manufacturing partnership for Sohonos (palovarotene) capsules, the only FDA-approved treatment for Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva. Ipsen invested in specialized equipment for Boothwyn, Pennsylvania facility.
- Marengo TherapeuticsmajorPartnership for IPN01203/STAR0501, a T cell activator program using Marengo's STAR platform for solid tumors. Selected for presentation at AACR 2026 New Drugs on the Horizon session.
- Origami TherapeuticsmajorGlobal collaboration and option agreement for a small-molecule protein degrader program targeting a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder. Ipsen receives exclusive option to license following drug candidate nomination.
- Skyhawk TherapeuticsminorPartnership to develop RNA-targeting small molecule treatments for rare neurological diseases, announced April 2024.
- Day One BiopharmaceuticalscoreLicensing agreement for tovorafenib (Ojemda) ex-U.S. rights for pediatric low-grade glioma. Ipsen secured European rights and achieved EU approval in April 2026. The drug was first approved in the U.S. under accelerated approval.
- GENFITcoreLicensing and collaboration agreement for elafibranor (Iqirvo) for Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Ipsen commercializes the product with ongoing royalty payments to GENFIT. Strong commercial performance with EUR 184 million in 2025 sales triggering milestone payments.
- IRICoR / Université de MontréalmajorLong-term academic-industry partnership focused on oncology research targeting the MAPK pathway, altered in approximately 40% of human tumors. Partnership initiated in 2020 and extended twice, with four active programs including one in Phase I trials.
- GaldermacoreCommercialization partnership for Dysport in aesthetic medicine. Galderma commercializes Dysport under brand names including Azzalure, Alluzience, and Relfydess. Arbitration in 2026 confirmed termination of early-stage R&D partnership while affirming continued commercialization rights.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Ipsen competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- UCB: Belgian specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on neurology (including spasticity/epilepsy) and immunology. Comparable to Ipsen's neuroscience pillar (Dysport, corabotase) and rare-disease positioning, with similar specialty-care commercial model.
- Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Ireland-headquartered specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on neuroscience (including movement disorders/sleep) and oncology. Comparable to Ipsen's neuroscience pillar and rare-disease commercial model with similar bolt-on M&A strategy.
- Lundbeck: Danish specialty pharmaceutical company focused on CNS disorders including movement disorders and neurology. Comparable to Ipsen's neuroscience franchise (cervical dystonia, spasticity) and as a mid-sized European specialty pharma with similar pipeline depth.
- Recordati: Italian specialty pharmaceutical company with a focus on rare diseases and specialty therapeutics across Europe and the US. Comparable as a European specialty pharma peer pursuing rare-disease and niche therapeutic franchises through acquisitions.
Broad incumbents
- Sanofi: French-headquartered global biopharmaceutical company with specialty care franchises in rare disease, oncology, and immunology. Comparable as a fellow French specialty pharma peer with similar geographic base and therapeutic breadth, though at substantially larger scale.
- Takeda Pharmaceutical: Japan-based global specialty biopharmaceutical company with strong rare disease, oncology, and neuroscience franchises following the Shire acquisition. Comparable for its specialty-care focus and reliance on bolt-on M&A in rare disease, though at substantially larger scale.
- Bayer Pharmaceuticals: German global life sciences company with pharmaceutical division focused on specialty care, women's health, and rare disease. Comparable as a European incumbent with similar specialty pharma orientation and rare-disease ambitions.
Regional players
- Almirall: Spanish specialty pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology and specialty therapeutics, primarily serving European markets. Comparable as a European specialty pharma peer with similar therapeutic-area focus and bolt-on partnership approach, though smaller and more regional.
Others
- Galderma: Global dermatology and aesthetics company that commercializes Dysport for aesthetic indications. Comparable as Ipsen's key channel partner for the Dysport aesthetics franchise and a related player in the neurotoxin/aesthetics market.
Emerging players
- Incyte: US-based biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology and inflammation, including myelofibrosis (Jakafi). Comparable for its overlap with Ipsen's oncology pipeline, particularly in hematology where Kartos's navtemadlin targets myelofibrosis.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ipsen social profiles
Digital presenceIpsen financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ipsen leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Ipsen subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Ipsen funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ipsen M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A14 records
Investments14 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ipsen
What does Ipsen do?
Ipsen is a global specialty biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription medicines in three therapeutic areas: Oncology (e.g., Cabometyx, Somatuline, Onivyde), Rare Disease (e.g., Bylvay, Iqirvo, Sohonos), and Neuroscience (e.g., Dysport). Its portfolio combines in-house pipeline assets, in-licensed products, and brands acquired through M&A (Epizyme, Albireo, ImCheck, Kartos), sold through direct field sales, specialty pharmacy, hospital channels, and a Galderma aesthetics partnership across 30+ countries.
Is Ipsen a public or private company?
Ipsen is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Ipsen founded?
Ipsen was founded in 1929. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Ipsen based?
Ipsen is headquartered in Boulogne-billancourt, France, in the Europe region.
How does Ipsen make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Product Sales - Oncology is the primary driver. The others are product Sales - Rare Disease, product Sales - Neuroscience, royalties from Licensing - GENFIT and milestone Payments.
Who are Ipsen's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are UCB, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Lundbeck and Recordati. Broad incumbents are Sanofi, Takeda Pharmaceutical and Bayer Pharmaceuticals. Almirall is listed as a regional player. Galderma is listed as an others. Incyte is listed as an emerging player.
Does Ipsen have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ipsen.
What industry is Ipsen in?
Ipsen's product category is Specialty Biopharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIACAC, Neurology & CNS Specialty Pharmaceuticals, with a secondary code of HLAIAAAF, Neurology & Psychiatry (CNS) Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2834.