Debiopharm Group to Support Ascepion in the Development of Debio 1144 for the Treatment of Chinese Cancer Patients

LAUSANNE, Switzerland and SUZHOU, China, April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Suzhou Ascepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ascepion), a Chinese leading biotech company focusing on the discovery and development of world-class molecular targeted innovative drugs and Debiopharm Group™ (Debiopharm), a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group of companies, announced today that Debiopharm will support further development in China of Debio 1144, a small molecule in preclinical development for the treatment of a large spectrum of solid tumors.

Debiopharm and Ascepion had previously signed a license agreement for the development and commercialization of Debio 1144, an orally available multikinase inhibitor. After having generated positive preclinical results with the product, Debiopharm has decided to support Ascepion for further development of Debio 1144 in China as it is well designed for the treatment of certain types of cancers that are highly represented in China. 

"This is an opportunity for Ascepion to develop an anti-cancer agent tailored to the Chinese market," said Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, President and founder of Debiopharm Group™. "At Debiopharm we value sharing our competences with a Chinese company in view of developing a product with a potential to treat various cancers highly prevalent in emerging markets."

"The disease spectrum of the Chinese population suggests the product will be well suited for its market. Thus it holds a great promise for certain cancer types in Chinese patients," commented Dr. Shan Jiang, President and CEO of Ascepion Pharmaceuticals.

About Debio 1144

Debio 1144 is a multikinase inhibitor, which has demonstrated strong efficacy in several preclinical models. It is orally available and has a large therapeutic index.

About Suzhou Ascepion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Based in Suzhou, China, Suzhou Ascepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a leading biopharmaceutical company in China dedicated to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs. Suzhou Ascepion Pharmaceuticals possesses a fully integrated platform and proprietary technologies for the discovery and development of small molecule therapeutics targeting signal transduction pathways in a systematic and productive manner. The company has developed a pipeline of innovative small molecule drugs for the treatment of oncology and related diseases. For additional information on Suzhou Ascepion Pharmaceuticals, please visit http://www.ascepion.com.

About Debiopharm Group™

Debiopharm Group™ (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 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 about Debiopharm Group™, please visit: http://www.debiopharm.com.

Debiopharm S.A. Contact    
Mrs Beatrice Hirt
Communication Coordinator
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]


Ascepion Contact
Ms. Min Wang
Corporate administration
Tel.: +86-512-62956001
Fax: +86-512-62956001-8004
[email protected]

SOURCE The Debiopharm Group