Strong 1st-qtr 2019 sales growth for Ipsen

French biopharma company Ipsen (Euronext: IPN) today announced its sales growth for the first quarter of 2019 was 17.0% as reported to 597.2 million euros ($663.8 million), or 15.8%at constant exchange rates, and consolidation scope driven by Specialty Care sales growth of 17.6% to 530.9 million euros with continued strong momentum across all major products and geographies Consumer Healthcare sales growth of 3.3% to 66.3 million euros1

Full Year 2019 guidance is confirmed following the completion of the acquisition of Clementia Pharmaceuticals on April 17. Group sales growth is expected to be greater than 13.0%1 at constant exchange rates and consolidation scope. Based on the current level of exchange rates, there is an expected +2.0% impact from currencies. Core operating Income margin is forecast at around 30.0% of net sales (excluding incremental investments in pipeline expansion initiatives)

“With robust double-digit sales growth in the first quarter, Ipsen is on track for another year of outstanding business execution. The Specialty Care business continues to thrive across all major products and geographies with volume and market share gains. We are accelerating the ongoing transformation of Ipsen by executing on our external innovation strategy to strengthen the R&D pipeline with novel first and best-in-class assets, said chief executive David Meek.