Ipsen buys oncology therapies from Merrimack Pharma

Ipsen has announced it has agreed to buy the global oncology assets from the Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, in a deal that could be worth around $1 billion. The transaction includes Merrimack's product Oniveyde (irinotecan liposome injection) which is approved by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas after disease progression in patients following gemcitabine-based therapy. Ipsen will gain exclusive commercialisation rights for the current and potential future indications in the US, as well as the current licensing agreements with Shire for commercialisation rights ex-US and PharmaEngine for Taiwan.