A Major Pharmaceutical Company Has Taken an Exclusive Option To BA058, a Compound Licensed by Ipsen to Radius in 2005



    BA058 Currently in Phase II for Osteoporosis

    Regulatory News:

    Ipsen (Paris:IPN) (Euronext: FR0010259150; IPN) today announced
    that Radius Health ("Radius") has granted Novartis an option to obtain
    an exclusive worldwide license (except Japan) to develop and
    commercialize all formulations of BA058. The bone anabolic candidate
    BA058, a PTHrP (parathyroid hormone-related protein) analogue is
    currently in Phase II clinical studies conducted by Radius for the
    treatment of osteoporosis. In September 2005, Radius acquired from
    Ipsen exclusive rights to BA058 (a former Ipsen proprietary compound
    previously referred as BIM44058,) on a worldwide basis with the
    exception of Japan, where Ipsen previously granted an exclusive
    license for BA058 to the Japanese group, Teijin.

    In the event that Novartis exercises the option to license BA058,
    Novartis would assume the global (except Japan) clinical development,
    manufacturing, and marketing of BA058 and all associated costs. Radius
    would receive payments upon the exercise of the option and on
    successful completion of certain development, regulatory, and
    commercial milestones. These payments together could total more than
    $500 million. In addition, Radius would be eligible to receive
    royalties on product sales and has retained the option to
    co-commercialize BA058 in the United States. Of this amount, Radius
    would in turn pay to Ipsen development, regulatory and commercial
    milestones that could total up to $125 million, as well as royalties
    calculated on a pro rata sales basis. Additional terms were not
    disclosed.

    Commenting on the agreement, Stephane Thiroloix, Executive
    Vice-President of the Ipsen Group, Corporate Development, stated that
    "As part of its strategy to maximize the value of its R&D pipeline
    through partnerships, outside of its own targeted therapeutic areas
    (oncology, endocrinology and neuromuscular disorders), Ipsen is
    pleased that Radius has reached this Option Agreement to potentially
    partner BA058 with Novartis, a company with a world-leading franchise
    in osteoporosis therapy."

    About BA058

    BA058, an analogue of human PTHrP, is currently in Phase II
    clinical trials conducted by Radius for the treatment of osteoporosis
    in postmenopausal women. PTHrP (parathyroid hormone-related protein)
    is a critical peptide for promoting new bone formation, with a role
    distinct from PTH (parathyroid hormone), which primarily regulates
    calcium homeostatis and bone resorption. BA058 build bone while
    reducing the risk of hypercalcemia or significant bone resorption. In
    preclinical testing it has demonstrated the potential to widen the
    anabolic window for bone therapeutics. This could enable improved
    convenience over currently available anabolic therapies, resulting in
    greater patient compliance and, ultimately, greater benefit to
    sufferers of osteoporosis.

    About Ipsen

    Ipsen is an innovation driven international specialty
    pharmaceutical group with over 20 products on the market and a total
    worldwide staff of nearly 4,000. The company's development strategy is
    based on a combination of products in targeted therapeutic areas
    (oncology, endocrinology and neuromuscular disorders) which are growth
    drivers, and primary care products which contribute significantly to
    its research financing. This strategy is also supported by an active
    policy of partnerships. The location of its four Research and
    Development centres (Paris, Boston, Barcelona, London) gives the Group
    a competitive edge in gaining access to leading university research
    teams and highly qualified personnel. In 2006, R&D expenditure was EUR
    178.3 million, i.e. 20.7% of consolidated sales, which amounted to EUR
    861.7 million while total revenues amounted to EUR 945.3 million (in
    IFRS). 700 people in R&D are dedicated to the discovery and
    development of innovative drugs for patient care. Ipsen's shares are
    traded on Segment A of Eurolist by EuronextTM (stock code: IPN, ISIN
    code: FR0010259150). Ipsen' s shares are eligible to the "Service de
    Reglement Differe" ("SRD") and the Group is part of the SBF 250 index.
    For more information on Ipsen, visit our website at www.ipsen.com.

    Forward-looking statements

    The forward-looking statements and targets contained herein are
    based on Ipsen's management's current views and assumptions. Such
    statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may
    cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from
    those anticipated herein. Moreover, the Research and Development
    process involves several stages at each of which there is a
    substantial risk that the Group will fail to achieve its objectives
    and be forced to abandon its efforts in respect of a product in which
    it has invested significant sums. Therefore, the Group cannot be
    certain that favourable results obtained during pre-clinical trials
    will be confirmed subsequently during clinical trials, or that the
    results of clinical trials will be sufficient to demonstrate the safe
    and effective nature of the product concerned. Ipsen expressly
    disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any
    forward looking statements, targets or estimates contained in this
    press release to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions
    or circumstances on which any such statements are based, unless so
    required by applicable law. Ipsen's business is subject to the risk
    factors outlined in its information documents filed with the French
    Autorite des Marches Financiers.