Ipsen Targets External Innovation With Exicure Option In Rare Neurodegenerative Disorders

Pacts In Huntington's Disease, Angelman Syndrome

France’s Ipsen has taken an exclusive option on two neurodegenerative disease programs at US biotech Exicure, whose oligonucleotide nanoparticles are taken up by many tissues, including the brain.

Ipsen
• Source: Alamy

With three deals over as many weeks, France’s Ipsen SA has rapidly beefed up its access to external innovation in its targeted therapeutic areas of oncology/hematology, rare diseases and neurology, with the latest agreement being an exclusive option on two discovery programs at Chicago-based Exicure, Inc., in two rare neurodegenerative diseases, Huntington’s disease and Angelman syndrome. 

The Paris-headquartered mid-sized pharmaceutical company has signaled its interest in restocking its early R&D pipeline under CEO David Loew, a...

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