Ipsen in-licenses bladder cancer diagnostic aid Hexvix

Ipsen has announced a deal with specialty pharmaceutical company Photocure to in-license Hexvix, a product for the diagnosis and resection of bladder cancer.

The strategic collaboration will grant Ipsen the marketing and commercialisation rights to Photocure's flagship product in all territories other than the US and the Nordic regions.

Hexvix induces specific fluorescence in the malignant cells in the bladder during cystoscopic procedures in order to make them easier to detect, with GE Healthcare having commercialised the product across Europe since its approval in 2006.

By signing this new deal with Ipsen, Photocure hopes to leverage the pharmaceutical company's strong and well-established uro-oncology presence across the region.

Marc de Garidel, Ipsen's chairman and chief executive officer, said: "Hexvix is a unique product which considerably improves the detection and resection of bladder cancers and ameliorates our offer in uro-oncology for the benefit of patients, prescribers and all stakeholders."

Last month, the company agreed a new partnership arrangement with Inspiration Biopharmaceuticals that will create a joint haemophilia-oriented commercial organisation in Europe.