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Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Stage: Growth Date of Investment: 2007 Web Site : http://www.inspirepharm.com Stock Symbol : NASDAQ: ISPH |
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Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Raleigh, NC, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing new treatments for diseases in the ophthalmic and respiratory areas. Founded in 1993 and publicly traded since 2000, Inspire currently markets three ophthalmology products and has two drugs in late-stage clinical development: Denufosol in Phase III for the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis and AzaSite for blepharitis.
Warburg Pincus led a private placement in Inspire in July 2007, and subsequently participated in a follow-on public offering in 2009. Since Warburg Pincus’ original investment, Inspire has successfully completed one Phase III trial of Denufosol for the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, launched AzaSite for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis, and announced positive Phase II trial results of AzaSite for the treatment of blepharitis. Additionally, in 2009, Warburg Pincus and the board recruited a new CEO in Adrian Adams, former President & CEO of Sepracor which he sold to Dainippon Sumitomo for $2.6 billion and former President & CEO of Kos which he sold to Abbott for $3.7 billion.
