Ipsen's 1st-qtr 2012 sales boosted by specialty care

French drugmaker Ipsen (Euronext: IPN) posted first-quarter sales of 292.8 million euros ($388.3 million), a rise of 2.4% (+1.4% at constant currencies). The total was helped by the firm’s specialty care business, which saw turnover up 10.8% (+9.7% at cc) to 202.4 million euros, while primary care revenues fell 13.4% (-14.2% at cc) to 81.9 million euros.

Commenting on the first quarter performance, Marc de Garidel, chairman and chief executive of Ipsen said: “In the first quarter 2012, Somatuline [lanreotide] and Dysport [botulinum toxin type-A] have delivered a strong performance, respectively up 17.5%1 and 13.8% [at cc] year-on-year, driving the growth of specialty care close to 10%. This performance illustrates the pertinence of the chosen strategy of enhanced focus on the company’s differentiated peptides and toxins strengths.” He added: “While delivering on sales, the group is progressing on its milestones. With the US reorganization swiftly moving on, we are focused on overcoming our industrial challenges and on setting up the best sustainable solution for the group’s French primary care activity.”

Regional performance