Debiopharm and Yale Announce an Exclusive License Agreement for the Development and Commercialization of Debio 1036, a First-in-Class Inhibitor for Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases

LAUSANNE, Switzerland and NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Debiopharm Group(TM) (Debiopharm), a global biopharmaceutical development specialist that focuses on serious medical conditions and particularly oncology, and Yale University (Yale), a premier university with a long tradition of both basic and clinically directed biomedical research, announce an exclusive worldwide license agreement concerning the development and commercialization of Debio 1036, a first-in-class inhibitor for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

"We are very excited about this new collaboration with Yale. Their leadership in marrying chemistry and biology to identify and validate lead drug candidates has yielded a new approach to treating inflammatory disease. The Debio 1036 project aims at developing inhibitors targeting a fundamental inflammatory pathway, which plays essential roles in myriad diseases progression and severity," said Dr Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, president and founder of Debiopharm S.A.

"Yale is delighted to be partnered with Debiopharm to advance this program through the pre-clinical and clinical development process. The relationship with Debiopharm is a stellar example of the complementarities between academic discovery and commercial development. This discovery is further evidence of the valuable contributions academic institutions can make on behalf of patients. We sincerely believe this agreement represents the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between Yale and Debiopharm for both Debio 1036 and other programs at Yale," added Richard C. Levin, Yale University President.

The agreement between Yale and Debiopharm anticipates the need for global access to medicines.

About Debio 1036

Debio 1036 is an orally available small molecule that antagonizes a key mediator in the inflammation process. This therapeutically important target is unique in several ways due to its action early on in the inflammatory cascade and its ability to regulate cell growth and apoptosis.

About Debiopharm Group

Debiopharm Group(TM) (Debiopharm) is a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group of companies with a focus on the development of prescription drugs that target unmet medical needs. 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 as well 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 personalized medicine. Debiopharm independently funds the worldwide development of all of 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(TM), please visit: http://www.debiopharm.com .

About Yale University

Founded in 1701, Yale University comprises three major academic components: Yale College (the undergraduate program), the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the professional schools. Founded in 1810, Yale School of Medicine is a world-renowned center for biomedical research, education and advanced healthcare. Yale School of Medicine consistently ranks among the handful of leading recipients of research funding from the National Institutes of Health and other organizations supporting the biomedical sciences. Its core faculty of more than 1,100 physicians and scientists is well represented within the Institute of Medicine and National Academy of Sciences and among investigators of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. In addition, Yale encompasses a wide array of centers and programs, libraries, museums, and administrative support offices. Approximately 11,250 students attend Yale. For more information on Yale University, please visit: http://www.yale.edu/

    Debiopharm S.A. Contact
    Maurice Wagner
    Director Corporate Affairs & communication
    Tel.: +41(0)21-321-01-11
    Fax: +41(0)21-321-01-69
    [email protected]

    Additional Media Contacts

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

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

    Yale Contact
    William Hathaway
    Associate Director of Media
    Tel.: +1-203-432-1322
    [email protected]

SOURCE The Debiopharm Group