Governance

Upholding ethical standards for patients and society

At Ipsen, we pride ourselves on our commitment to integrity, transparency and upholding the highest ethical standards. We are fostering responsible management while cultivating a strong ethical mindset that permeates every level of our organization.

• Doing what is right, not what is easy - delivering our results in an ethical and compliant manner, upholding human rights and anti-corruption principles, and fostering an environment of integrity.
• Guided by our strategy: Focus. Together. For patients and society.  Strong corporate governance, Sustainable targets in compensation, and Generation Ipsen program.
• Success delivered through responsible management – proactive risk management, and crisis management processes.

Ipsen’s Code of Conduct

Ipsen’s Code of Conduct is a foundation of our culture that emphasizes ethical decision-making, transparency and accountability across our diverse operations. It embodies our commitment and enthusiasm for the work that we do and the success that we achieve, acting with fairness, integrity and accountability.

Consult the full Code of Conduct

Combating corruption with ethics and transparency

At Ipsen, we proudly uphold ethical standards, integrity and transparency in all of our endeavors. Robust anti-corruption policies ensure strict adherence to all applicable national and international legislation, accurate financial recordkeeping, and stakeholder interactions based on integrity and merit.

Anti-corruption at Ipsen

Fight corruption is a pledge in our Code of Conduct, as Ipsen rejects any form of corruption that distorts fair trade, hinders economic development, and imposes multiple costs on society at large.

Ipsen’s commitment to conducting business with high standards of ethics is reflected through the Anti-Corruption Program, for a positive societal change under the Generation Ipsen. A dedicated cross-function operational committee works on meaningful anti-corruption initiatives and regularly reports to the Executive Leadership Team.

Ipsen certified in 2021 to the ISO 37001 – International Anti-Corruption Standard for anti-corruption management systems, for the benefit of Patients, Society and Employees:

ISO37001 Anti-Corruption Standard (valid until December 2024)

Ipsen tax strategy and governance statement

Ipsen is a dynamic and growing global specialty-care biopharmaceutical group with a focus on transformative medicines in oncology, rare disease and neuroscience.

In line with our sustainability framework, Generation Ipsen, we recognize our role as a responsible taxpayer to pay our full share of taxes, including corporate income taxes, as part of our contribution to society.  Thus, Ipsen pays its fair share of taxes in all countries where it operates.

The aim of this document is to provide transparency to ensure a proper understanding of the way Ipsen approaches tax policy matters:

• Our compliance
• Our tax governance and risk management
• Our attitude to tax planning
• Our tax risks
• Our engagement with Tax Authorities

Our Compliance

The tax affairs are managed in a manner that is consistent within Ipsen’s Code for Ethical conduct, to conduct business lawfully and ethically.

Ipsen is committed to observing all applicable laws, rules and regulations in meeting its tax compliance and reporting responsibilities in all jurisdictions where it operates, and to ensuring compliance with all relevant legal disclosure requirements.

Our tax governance and risk management

The fundamental objective of Ipsen’s tax governance is to guarantee strict compliance and transparency with the applicable tax regulations and ensure adequate supervision of the tax policy implemented by its subsidiaries in all the territories where it operates.

Ipsen applies diligent professional care and judgement, including ensuring that all decisions are taken at an appropriate level and are supported by consistent processes and guidelines and thorough documentation. The tax function is localized in France, UK and the US. The VP Group Tax department reports to the EVP CFO and our tax professionals are committed to the highest compliance standards in tax laws and regulations.

Our attitude to tax planning

Ipsen’s approach is to pay the correct and fair amount of tax to minimise the risk of uncertainty or disputes. Our tax positions are based on reasonable interpretation of applicable law and are aligned with the substance of the economic activity of our business locally.

We are committed to maintain and follow a transfer pricing policy that is based on OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines notably the arm’s length standard and the goals of the OECD/G20 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project (“BEPS”).

Ipsen has a zero-tolerance approach to tax evasion and the facilitation of tax evasion. Ipsen does not undertake aggressive tax planning or artificial tax arrangements. Where available, legitimate tax incentives (for example, R&D tax credits) or exemptions are implemented in the spirit in which they are intended and aligned with our commercial business activities and reputation.

Our tax risks

Ipsen seeks to comply fully with the tax regulations and actively manages its affairs to minimise the risk of non-compliance by ensuring that tax returns and payments are made on time with proper disclosure made to the tax authorities. We strive for full compliance and are continuously improving our processes, which are based on standardization, simplification and automation.

Areas of uncertainty and complexity of current international tax law are managed by the Tax Department and, in addition, we regularly seek advice from independent external tax advisors to minimize our tax risk.

Our engagement with the tax authorities

We seek to operate an honest and transparent relationship with all the tax authorities.

We file timely and accurate tax returns, and we respond openly and promptly to any questions that may be raised in relation to our tax returns. Like any multinational company, our tax returns are continuously under audit around the world. In the event a tax authority disagrees with our views on the appropriate tax treatment of a given item, we will work constructively to try to resolve the issue in a timely manner through appropriate methods of dispute resolution.

Speak-Up & Reporting Concerns

At Ipsen, we encourage employees to report potential non-compliant or unethical behaviors, fostering a speak-up culture and promoting transparency and accountability. Our Global Whistleblowing Policy is implemented since 2018.

We commit to fairly addressing concerns that come to us. Report any concerns through the Whispli designated Alert Platform or use the email address Ipsen.Ethics.Hotline@ipsen.com.

Business ethics

Ipsen continuously enhances its Business Ethics Program, backed by a robust infrastructure and governance system. By fostering a culture of ownership, accountability and mindful decision-making, we maintain a strong ethical foundation.

Opportunities and Risks Governance

Ipsen is committed to ensuring a robust Opportunities and Risks Governance policy, with several strategic and operational committees actively working to identify, assess and address risks and opportunities.

Information Security

Strong and effective security is critical at Ipsen; it protects our organization, reinforces our credibility and reputation, and enables us to deliver for the patients we serve. Ipsen faces increasingly sophisticated and complex security threats. The impact of a significant security incident, which could compromise the safety of our people, affect the integrity of our products or patient information, deny us access to critical systems or expose our most sensitive information, could directly harm our ability to deliver our mission – as such, safety and security is a priority for Ipsen at all times.

We have a dedicated security team, lead by a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) which works in close partnership with IT to build cyber controls. The CISO reports directly into the Executive (via the General Counsel) to ensure that cyber risks are given sufficient governance priority. An Executive Security Steering Committee with key business Executives represented meets at least twice per year to oversee progress against the cyber roadmap and agree investment needs. The CISO also presents to the Audit Committee of the Board at least annually.

Working with third parties

Ipsen recognizes that its third parties play an important role in Ipsen’s success and commitments.  Accordingly, we strive to conduct business with organizations who share Ipsen’s commitment to ethical culture and operate in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.

The Ipsen Business Partner Code of Conduct documents principles and expectations for establishing and maintaining a business relationship with our third parties.

• Ipsen complies with international and national laws, regulations and codes that prohibit any form of corruption and avoids doing business with entities and/or individuals that are subject to official trade and economic sanctions. Following a risk-based approach, the Business Ethics Third Party Program ensures that we work with trusted and reputable third parties, that reasonably operate in a responsible manner.
• Ipsen also implemented a Supplier Risk Management process using a unified digital platform and engaging cross-functional risk experts to ensure potential suppliers meet our standards. This approach streamlines assessments and strengthens risk management throughout our organization.
• Ipsen is committed to high financial compliance standards and has implemented a No PO No Pay approach for a wide majority of spend. This means third parties must have a valid purchase order before starting work and submitting an invoice for payment. Based on the country the third parties will be delivering services or goods to, the purchase order terms and conditions may slightly differ. Please click below for the applicable Purchase Order Terms & Conditions . Purchase Order Terms and Conditions
• We conduct supplier qualification and regular risk-based due diligence across our value chain, which involves ensuring that our expectations for human rights, among other topics such as anti-corruption and a sustainable environment, are addressed at the earliest stages of the third party engagement.

Data privacy

At Ipsen, we care about protecting the personal data of all our stakeholders. We ensure that we only use personal data as necessary, that our use of that data is lawful and fair, that we keep data secure, and that we inform individuals about how we use their data. We manage privacy compliance at Ipsen through policies, procedures and training, and by fostering a strong culture of respect for privacy.

Working with HCPs and HCOs

We are committed to fostering transparency and trust in all of our collaborations with healthcare professionals (HCPs) and healthcare organizations (HCOs). By openly disclosing information on transfers of value, clinical trials, scientific publications and interest representation activities, we ensure integrity and promote a strong ethical foundation across our interactions.

Transparency rules and reports

• Ipsen self-certification letter
• List of countries showing HCP consent requirements for transparency disclosure

Please follow the links to the countries to find the information about local Transparency rules and reports.

Support to patients and patient organizations

Ipsen actively collaborates with patient organizations to better understand and support patients’ needs. Emphasizing transparency, we publicly disclose financial and non-financial support provided to these organizations in adherence to the EFPIA Code.