Continuity as Debiopharm Group™ Management Moves Forward

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Debiopharm Group™ (Debiopharm), a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group of companies with a focus on the development of innovative therapies, primarily in oncology, has appointed a number of management figures to key positions, which will help ensure the perennial success of the group over the long term.

Although Debiopharm is a private company, it is committed to ensure the same level of financial rigor and corporate governance as companies listed on the stock market. It is for this reason that Debiopharm has created a Strategy Committee, which will adopt recommendations in respect of the overall direction of the group, and a Development Committee, which will be tasked with optimising the development stages of Debiopharm's products. Dr Kamel Besseghir, who joined Debiopharm in 1995 and has been successfully heading Debiopharm S.A. as CEO since 2006, will chair both committees, starting January 1, 2012.

From that same date he will be succeeded as CEO of Debiopharm S.A. by Dr Bertrand Ducrey, currently CEO of Debio R.P. (Martigny). Bertrand Ducrey has a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences and was appointed general manager of Debio R.P. in 2004 before being appointed CEO in 2006. Under Dr Ducrey's leadership, Debio R.P.'s achievements have significantly contributed to the success of Debiopharm Group™.

Dr Ducrey's current responsibilities as chief executive at Debio R.P. will be taken over by Dr Cédric Sager, who will be promoted to the position of CEO effective January 1, 2012. Dr Sager joined Debio R.P. after having obtained his Ph.D. in Peptide Chemistry in 2001. He held various positions within the company before being appointed Manufacturing Director in 2004 and has assisted the CEO with various responsibilities since 2007.

We thank our three colleagues for what they have achieved to date and we wish them all the very best in what they will continue to achieve in their respective careers with Debiopharm Group™.

These appointments will enable the group to continue to make the best possible use of the leadership abilities of the individuals concerned and, at the same time, demonstrate the group's determination to move forward while ensuring continuity and stability.

"One of the main tasks of the individuals we have appointed to these key positions will be to put in place Debiopharm's flagship project to bring down costs and reduce the development period of our drugs whilst maintaining our extremely rigorous standards in respect of quality," said Dr Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, founder and President of Debiopharm Group™. Thierry Mauvernay, Executive Vice-President of Debiopharm Group™ said: "With these appointments, Debiopharm Group™ is even better equipped to face the major challenge in our industry, that of making available to healthcare systems drugs that allow the treatment of more patients, better and at a lesser cost."

About Debiopharm Group™

Debiopharm Group™ is a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group of companies with a focus on the development of prescription drugs that target unmet medical needs, particularly in oncology.The group in-licenses, develops and/or co-develops promising biological and small molecule drug candidates having reached clinical development phases I, II or III aswell as earlier stage candidates.It develops its products for global registration and maximum commercial potential. The products are out-licensed to pharmaceutical partners for sales and marketing. Debiopharm Group™ is also active in the field of companion diagnostics with a view to progressing in the area of personalised medicine.Debiopharm independently funds the worldwide development of all its products while providing expertise in pre-clinical and clinical trials, manufacturing, drug delivery and formulation, and regulatory affairs.For more information on Debiopharm Group ™ , please visit: http://www.debiopharm.com

Contact

Debiopharm S.A.
Maurice Wagner, Ph.D.
Director Corporate Affairs & Communication
Tel.:+41(0)21-321-01-11
E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE The Debiopharm Group