taipei news-medical-hospital-2010-8-24-06-AITS and Ipsen Enter into an Educational Partnership for Training Courses on

AITS and Ipsen Enter into an Educational Partnership for Training Courses on Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery in Taiwan and in Asia

• Another Landmark Partnership in the development of AITS
• New Footprint for Ipsen’s presence in the Oncology field in Asia

Taipei (Taiwan), 24 August 2010 – The Intercontinental division of Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY), a global biopharmaceutical group, and AITS, the Asian Institute of Tele-Surgery, the most well-funded surgery training center in Asia, announced today a cooperation agreement for the promotion of AITS center and training courses in Taiwan and the rest of Asia. Ipsen will commit to sponsor a minimum number of delegates annually and support AITS financially in its efforts to promote AITS center in the region. AITS will acknowledge Ipsen as an official sponsor in its various communication materials. The agreement will run for an initial period of 2 years, extendable for subsequent 2 years terms under conditions to be discussed.

Training courses provided by AITS are comprehensive and practical, with both theoretical and hands-on sessions, allowing Asian surgeons to rapidly improve their surgical skills and operate ergonomics instrument under a complete and comfortable training environment. AITS specializes in Minimal Invasive Surgery (MIS) techniques, which aim at minimizing surgical trauma and raise surgery precision. This technique results in smaller wounds, less bleeding, less pain, rapid recovery, leading to a better outcome in medical healthcare quality and satisfaction. The management of Oncological disorders is a major field of expertise for Ipsen, which markets a sustained-release Gonadotrophin-Releasing Hormone Analogue , in Taiwan and other numerous markets in Asia Pacific, notably for the treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer.

Jean Fabre, Vice President, Intercontinental Operations, Ipsen said, “We are very pleased to partner with AITS, a new state-of-the-art training center for Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) in Asia, backed by the outstanding experience and reputation of IRCAD in France. MIS training is answering a growing need among Asian specialists for surgical skills to improve patient outcome in the management of Prostate Cancer and other oncological conditions. This partnership will allow Ipsen to further demonstrate its dedication to continuous medical education and willingness to build strong ties with the medical community. ”

Dr. Min-Ho Huang, AITS President, said, “We are delighted to partner with Ipsen, a reknown company with a strong focus on Urological-Oncology, and believe that this partnership will further enhance our efforts in establishing AITS as a local and regional training center in minimally invasive surgery. It is a also a recognition of the quality of the training courses performed by AITS. Thanks to Ipsen's network, this partnership is also an excellent opportunity for AITS to expand its geographical reach in Asia Pacific, with a view to continuously improve surgeons' skills in the region, in the interest of patient care.”




About Prostate Cancer and Minimally Invasive Surgery
The incidence of prostate cancer increases with age, usually affecting men aged 60 to 80 years old. Because of the changes of eating habits and lifestyle, prostate cancer has become more common in young men (e.g. 40s). According to the 2007 Taiwan Cancer Registry, prostate cancer ranked as the fifth most common cancer in Taiwanese males, with an increase of 3,367 people the year. While men in general may feel uncomfortable discussing about the prostate as the gland affects both urination and sexuality, it is vital that those affected receive a timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment and management. Through the advancement of medical sciences in recent years, such as minimally invasive surgery (MIS). the survival rate and quality of life of prostate cancer patients has improved.

The use of minimally invasive surgery to treat urological diseases started in the mid-1990s, and it has grown to be a substantial part of modern urologic surgery in the past decade. With MIS, surgeons use laparoscopic technology to perform abdominal operations through small openings or without incisions. A minimally invasive technique used in the removal of prostate cancers provides the same effects as traditional open surgery. Patients treated with this method experience less postoperative pain, develop fewer infections, resume oral intake and shorten their hospital stay. Most importantly, minimally invasive techniques can preserve the nerves responsible for sexual function and urinary function, providing patients with an improved quality of life. The tremendous success of laparoscopic procedures has created a new era in urologic surgery and with it, a sense of hope to patients.

About Diphereline®/Decapeptyl®
The active substance in Diphereline®/Decapeptyl® is triptorelin, a decapeptide analogue of GnRH (Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone), a hormone secreted by the hypothalamus, which initially stimulates the release of pituitary gonadotrophins (hormones produced by the pituitary gland), which in turn control hormonal secretions by the testes and ovaries. Debiopharm, which holds the patent to the pamoate formulations of Decapeptyl®, granted Ipsen an exclusive licence to market Decapeptyl® within the European Union and in certain other countries. Decapeptyl® contains a formulation that was initially developed and continues to be used mainly in the treatment of advanced metastatic prostate cancer. Additional indications have been subsequently developed (uterine fibroids, endometriosis, in vitro fertilisation, precocious puberty) in some countries. Decapeptyl® is available in monthly or quarterly sustained-release formulations, as well as a daily formulation. Decapeptyl®’s sales in 2009 amounted to more than € 250 million.

About Ipsen
Ipsen is a global biopharmaceutical group with total sales in excess of 1 billion euros in 2009, and total worldwide staff of more than 4,400. Its strategy is based on fast growing specialty care drugs in oncology, endocrinology, neurology and hematology, and primary care drugs, which significantly contribute to research financing. This strategy is also supported by an active policy of partnerships. Ipsen’s specific Research & Development (R&D) centers and peptide & protein engineering platform give the Group a competitive edge. Nearly 900 people are dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative drugs for patient care. In 2009, R&D spend reached close to €200 million, representing more than 19% of total Group sales. Ipsen’s shares are traded on Segment A of Euronext Paris (stock code: IPN, ISIN code: FR0010259150). Ipsen’s shares are eligible to the “Service de Règlement Différé” (“SRD”) and the Group is part of the SBF 120 index. Ipsen has implemented a Sponsored Level I American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program, which trade on the over-the-counter market in the United States under the symbol IPSEY. For more information on Ipsen, visit our website at www.ipsen.com.

About AITS
In 2008, with support from IRCAD France (Research Institute against Digestive Cancer) and the EITS (European Institute of TeleSurgery) led by Prof. Jacques Marescaux, Show Chwan Health Care System President Huang established the Asian Institute of TeleSurgery (AITS) in Lugang Show-Chwan Health Park in Taiwan. The establishment of AITS has not only created the primary training and education center for minimally invasive surgery in Asia but also raised Taiwan’s visibility while driving local development in the city of Lukang.

Minimally Invasive Surgery is the current trend of surgical development, providing the advantages of minimal wounds, lower infection rates, less pain, and reduced length of stay, which effectively let patients transition back to their normal lives more quickly. Surgeons are required to learn this technique. Minimally invasive surgery is generally referred to as endoscopy or laparoscopic surgery. Surgeons mainly use endoscopy to perform the surgery, but depending on circumstances robots may be used for assistance as well. With small wounds and a short hospital stay, minimally invasive surgery has fewer complications than traditional techniques. This new technique can also save social and healthcare costs. Particularly, minimally invasive surgery could be done via a telecommunication network, providing medical treatment without boundaries to the great benefit of the patient.


For further information:


For Ipsen

Thomas Delemazure
Asia Export Manager (location: Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur)
Phone: +603 2142 9505 Ext.: 100
E-mail: thomas.delemazure@ipsen.com