Ipsen 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”.