Aurigene and Debiopharm Group™ Report Nomination of Development Candidate Debio 0617B in Oncology

LAUSANNE, Switzerland and BANGALORE, India, June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Aurigene Discovery Technologies, a Bangalore-based biotech focusing on small molecule and peptide drug discovery and Debiopharm Group™ (Debiopharm), a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group of companies with a focus on the development of prescription drugs that target unmet medical needs, today announced the successful nomination of a development candidate, Debio 0617B.

Debio 0617B is a novel small molecule targeting an undisclosed oncology pathway which has started IND enabling studies, and is expected to enter clinical development in Q42014. Debiopharm and Aurigene have been collaborating on several discovery projects since 2006.

The companies signed an exclusive worldwide license agreement, to develop and commercialize Debio 0617B in 2012. The teams have successfully identified and validated the development candidate that meets the target molecular profile for a unique, first-in-class mechanism of action that targets several potential unmet needs in oncology.

"This represents an important success not just for this scientific program, but also for the strategic path that was established through this agreement between Debiopharm and Aurigene. This is a truly synergistic relationship that takes advantage of the proven experience, expertise and processes at Debiopharm, coupled with the speed, flexibility and high-quality science at Aurigene," said Murali Ramachandra, Sr VP of Pre-clinical biology of Aurigene.

"This new achievement is in line with the long standing collaboration between Debiopharm and Aurigene. Both teams have highly contributed to reach this milestone by following a focused and fully integrated project development strategy, combining the reciprocal expertise in both companies," said Andres McAllister, CSO, Research & Evaluation at Debiopharm. "Aurigene is a highly valued partner of Debiopharm and we look forward to continuing our collaborative activities with them," said David Deperthes, VP Business Development at Debiopharm.

About Aurigene

Aurigene is a Biotech focused on building a robust pipeline of small molecule and peptide therapeutics in the exciting areas of Cancer Metabolism, Epigenetics and the TH17 pathway. Aurigene's most advanced programs in its pipeline include several compounds expected to be in clinical development over the next few quarters, for oncology, inflammation and anti-infective indications. These are (a) PD-1 peptide therapeutics for oncology and antibacterial indications; (b) A novel protease inhibitor for Osteo Arthritis (DMOAD) and pain alleviation; (c) A differentiated FabI inhibitor with potential for IV/ oral switch, for MRSA.

In addition, Aurigene works with Pharma companies on early stage collaborations in integrated discovery partnerships. Aurigene, with over 500 scientists in its Indian and Malaysian laboratories, has collaborated with 6 of the top 10 pharma companies, in addition to partnerships with mid-sized pharma companies and biotechs in the US and Europe.

For more information on Aurigene's collaboration business model, and its pipeline, please visit the company's website at http://www.aurigene.com.

About Debiopharm Group™

Debiopharm Group^™ (Debiopharm) is a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group of companies founded in 1979 with headquarters in Lausanne. Debiopharm focuses on the development of innovative prescription drugs that target unmet medical needs. Oncology is its main area of expertise. Debiopharm in-licenses, develops and/or co-develops promising biological and small molecule drug candidates having reached clinical development phases I, II or III as well as earlier stage candidates. The group develops its products for global registration and access to the largest number of patients worldwide. The products are out-licensed to pharmaceutical partners for sales and marketing. Debiopharm is also active in the field of companion diagnostics with a view to progressing in the area of personalized medicine

For more information about Debiopharm Group^™: http://www.debiopharm.com.

Contact Debiopharm International S.A.
Beatrice Hirt
Communication Coordinator
[email protected]
Tel.: +41-21-321-01-11

Aurigene Contact
Mark Ravera
Head of Business Development, USA
Rajshree KT, Head of Strategic Alliances, India
[email protected]

Additional press contacts

Londres
Maitland
Brian Hudspith
Tel.: +44(0)20-7379-5151
[email protected]

New York
Russo Partners, LLC
Martina Schwarzkopf, Ph.D.
Account Executive
Tel.: +1-212-845-4292
Fax: +1-212-845-4260
[email protected]

SOURCE The Debiopharm Group