Ipsen buys gastrointestinal-focused-portfolio Italian company

Ipsen 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 Italian privately-held consumer health care company with a diversified gastrointestinal-focused portfolio including probiotics, medical devices and food supplements.

Akkadeas Pharma will become Ipsen’s Italian distributor for Smecta (Diosmectal), said Ipsen in its press release.

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”.