Ipsen and Inspiration complete sale of haemophilia assets

Ipsen and Inspiration Biopharmaceuticals have announced the completion of the sale of their lead haemophilia programme OBI-1 to Baxter.

The transaction was originally announced in January 2013 and has now closed, meaning Baxter has assumed worldwide rights to the recombinant porcine factor VIII therapy, which is in development for the treatment of acquired and congenital haemophilia A with inhibitors.

As part of the deal, Baxter has also taken control of Ipsen's manufacturing facility for OBI-1 in Milford, Massachusetts, with employees involved in the development and production of the drug being offered new jobs by Baxter.

John Butler, chief executive officer of Inspiration, said: "I am confident that Baxter is the right steward to bring this important product to patients in need."

This completes the sale of all of the companies' joint haemophilia assets, following the acquisition by Cangene of rights to their drug IB1001 last month.

Last month, Ipsen announced that it achieved a 5.6 percent year-on-year increase in sales during the 2012 fiscal year, as well as naming Christel Bories as its new deputy chief executive officer.