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Case Study

Ipsen: Accelerating profitable growth in pharma

By Niccolò Pisani

27 pages

February 2024

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Reference: IMD-7-2510

Part One: Ipsen, a global pharmaceutical firm headquartered in France, was facing significant challenges, including regulatory setbacks and fierce competition, when David Loew assumed the role of CEO in 2020. The loss of exclusivity for Somatuline, Ipsen’s flagship cancer drug, added to the complexities. Tasked by the board, Loew aimed to lead Ipsen into a new era of profitable growth amid escalating competition. After thorough review during the Covid-19 pandemic, Loew and the executive team recognized the critical importance of the upcoming strategy. Ipsen Investors’ Day became the platform to unveil “Focus. Together. For Patients and Society,” the strategy shaping Ipsen’s trajectory toward ambitious 2025 targets. Despite pandemic disruptions, Loew was confident that Ipsen possessed the essential elements to embark on a new path of profitable growth. Part Two: Three years after launching the new strategy, David Loew concluded a meeting with the head of legal affairs, reflecting on the strategy’s journey. Structured around four pillars, the strategy prioritized patient-centricity, a sustainable pipeline, improved efficiency and operational excellence through collaboration and a diverse workforce. Ipsen’s ambition was to be an adaptable force, creating lasting value. While Ipsen made significant strides in executing the strategy, recognizing market acknowledgment, critical questions persisted. These revolved around geographic footprint, digital integration, ongoing cultural transformation and the accelerated development of key products alongside acquisitions to fortify the pipeline. Loew prepared for a two-day session with the executive team to capitalize on successes and chart the way forward to future-proof the company.

Learning Objective

Understand Ipsen’s strategic transformation: Gain insights into its transformation journey, from its historical roots to its current strategic direction under David Loew’s leadership.
Understand Ipsen’s competitive environment and the macro factors that have shaped the pharma industry and will influence its future evolution.
Explore the need for a mid-sized global pharma to design a new strategy in view of likely future disruptions to the sector.
Explore strategy design in a highly competitive industry.
Think holistically about how to approach the design of a multi-year corporate strategy.

Keywords

Strategy, Growth, Patient, Customer Centricity, Research and Development, Efficiency, Acquisition, Care Delivery, Rare Disease, Neuroscience, Innovation, Geographical Expansion, Good Health, Well-being

Settings

World/global
Ipsen, Healthcare, Biopharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals
2019-2024

Type

Field Research

Available Languages

English

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Teaching note

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