News Article

Paris-based listed global biopharmaceutical company Ipsen SA has acquired Swiss biotechnology firm Memo Therapeutics AG in a deal that could exceed €700m.

This transaction will integrate a first-in-class asset into Ipsen’s clinical pipeline as it seeks to address high unmet medical needs in transplantation, and highlights a growing trend of major European pharmaceutical companies securing specialised platform technologies to drive long-term value.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, the French pharmaceutical group will pay an initial €200m upfront on a cash-free and debt-free basis. The remaining consideration is structured as deferred payments linked to the achievement of specific development, regulatory and commercial milestones.

Prior to the closing of the deal, Memo Therapeutics will carve out its non-core assets, including the DROPZYLLA antibody discovery platform, into a new entity named Memorises Bio.

The acquisition primarily focuses on potravitug, which is a monoclonal antibody targeting BK polyomavirus reactivation in kidney transplant recipients. There are currently no approved targeted therapies for this condition, which often forces clinicians to reduce immunosuppressive therapy and risk organ rejection.

The acquisition fits within Ipsen’s established playbook of targeting first-in-class assets in underserved populations.