Despite concerns over toxicity due to early growth plate closure in skeletally immature patients, Ipsen's CEO David Loew is confident that palovarotene will get through regulatory review for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive.

Sanofi Pasteur head David Loew has been at the heart of the company's bids to develop vaccines for COVID-19 but has decided to accept a different challenge instead and take the helm at Ipsen.

Ipsen is to restart a global Phase III study of palovarotene in an ultra-rare bone disorder after additional analyses of interim data, but a partial clinical hold of the compound's use in patients aged under 14 years of age remains in place.

The French drugmaker's current product portfolio is performing well but a €669m charge relating to the failure of palovarotene for the rare bone disease FOP blighted Ipsen's financials.