Helsinn’s strategic decision to establish a direct presence in the USA, the largest pharmaceutical market in the world, led to the acquisition of an American specialty pharmaceutical company, Sapphire Therapeutics, establishing Helsinn Therapeutics (U.S.) Inc., with headquarters in Bridgewater, New Jersey.

This acquisition expands Helsinn’s current pipeline of products in existing focus therapeutic areas:
Supportive care: Anamorelin to treat cancer anorexia/cachexia
Gastrointestinal: Ipamorelin to prevent Post-Operative Ileus
ST1141 for the treatment of opioid-induced bowel function
Metabolism: Ghrelin antagonist for obesity.

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Brief History

2001: Founded as Rejuvenon; in-licensed several secretogogue molecules from NovoNordisk
2003: Anamorelin in development for cancer cachexia; clinical data show it increases appetite and is well-tolerated.
2004: Two additional molecules in-licensed; company becomes Sapphire Therapeutics and moves to New Jersey.
2005: In-licensed Ipamorelin, a potent and highly selective ghrelin mimetic, from NovoNordisk and advanced into clinical studies to prevent post-operative ileus.
2007: Anamorelin phase 2 data shows statistically significant increases in mean total and lean body mass as well as in markers of anabolic activity in subjects with cancer-related anorexia/cachexia.
A clinical study of ipamorelin demonstrates significant increases in gastrointestinal motility.
2008: Development pipeline
2009: Sapphire purchased by Helsinn and transformed into Helsinn Therapeutics (U.S.) Inc.