Ipsen recently inaugurated its first regional office in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), headquartered in Dubai, to kickstart direct operations and bring innovative treatments to serve unmet medical needs covering oncology, rare diseases and neuroscience in the region.
The opening of Ipsen’s regional headquarters in the Al Jalila Foundation Building at Dubai Healthcare City was attended by His Excellency Dr Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of Health Regulations Sector at the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), Her Excellency Raja Rabia, Consul General of France to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, and Professor Humaid Al Shamsi, President of the Emirates Oncology Society, among others.
“The opening of our new office in Dubai is a milestone for our company. We look forward to building value through our global innovation in oncology, rare diseases, and neuroscience, as we strive to contribute to the health and well-being of the people of the UAE, and the region, especially at a time when healthcare is a top priority,” commented Khaled Elrefae, the Middle East and Africa Specialty Care Operations Head for Ipsen.
Transformative Medicines
Over the last decade, the pharmaceutical industry has been a major focus for the UAE, with the government executing strategic and long-term plans to develop and grow the market. To manage vast territories, pharmaceutical companies are embracing the country's powerful infrastructure, economic incentives, and appeal for key stakeholders. Therefore, patients with rare medical requirements who may experience being referred to overseas treatments will now benefit from rapid access to new therapies with the presence of Ipsen's regional footprint.
Ipsen's areas of expertise include neuroendocrine tumours, which are the second most common gastrointestinal neoplasm after colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, spasticity, and renal and hepatic cell carcinoma, among others. These life-threatening diseases are often a challenge faced by physicians and patients, and appropriate treatment is critical, but the impact of transformative medicines is life-extending.
“As a French biopharmaceutical company with over 90 years of heritage and a global presence in advancing R&D programmes, we have continuously focused on creating exceptional value to the local communities we serve. We are dedicated to improving patient's lives and health outcomes and consistently focus on introducing innovative treatments and breakthrough medicines that help enhance the quality of life,” said Vice President of Middle East, Africa, and Maghreb for Ipsen, Matthieu Savarzeix.
Presently, Ipsen is developing a molecule that aims to treat the exceptionally rare disease Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP). Extremely disabling, the rare genetic disorder causes soft tissues to transform permanently into the bone, shortening a patient’s life span. “FOP affects one patient out of one million and afflicts children and adults. There is a high mortality rate and very few treatments available in the market. At Ipsen, we are committed to providing a breakthrough for this rare genetic disease and improve the lives of those who suffer from it,” Savarzeix added.