Oncotest GmbH and Debiopharm Group Announce a Successful Partnership in the Identification of Biomarker Candidates

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, April 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Oncotest GmbH and Debiopharm Group™ (Debiopharm) a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group, are pleased to announce the successful completion of the first biomarker projects at Oncotest. In a recent study, pharmacological data was generated with Debiopharm's investigational compound in Oncotest's 3D assay system for patient-derived xenografts and correlated with the extensive Oncotest's genomic and transcriptomic data. The collaboration resulted in the identification of several predictive biomarkers candidates including a gene signature.

"We are enthusiastic to work with Debiopharm on these projects and are looking forward to continue and expand our collaboration. I am convinced that the concept of deriving predictive biomarkers for new drugs already in a preclinical setting will make an impact. Ultimately, it has a significant potential to lower the attrition rates in clinical trials. Today, with our new biomarker department and the characterization data available for our tumor models, Oncotest is ideally positioned in this area." said Prof. Heiner Fiebig, Founder and CEO of Oncotest.

Dr. Hiroaki Tanaka, Personalized Medicine Director at Debiopharm added: "Reliable preclinical models are key success factors in drug development. We believe that technologies based on the direct use of patient tumors have a game-changer potential in translational research in oncology. We are happy to collaborate with Oncotest, a pioneer and a leader in the area, and we are looking forward to extending our partnership even further towards the achievement of personalized medicine."

About Oncotest

Oncotest is a CRO dedicated to the preclinical profiling of novel anti-cancer molecules, facilitating the optimal planning of clinical trials. Promising indications, novel combinations of anti-cancer molecules and potential biomarkers are identified using a combination of in vitro and in vivo tests with Oncotest's extensively characterized collection of more than 400 unique patient-derived tumor xenografts (PDX) propagated in nude mice. PDX are known to replicate patient tumor responses to anti-cancer drugs to a high degree. Ex vivo 3D assays are an important component of Oncotest's assay portfolio and standard panels of up to 200 PDX are offered for 3D assay campaigns. Clients benefit from Oncotest's industry leading experience.
Oncotest, based in Freiburg, Germany, was founded in 1993 by Prof. Heiner Fiebig, a clinical oncologist who pioneered the use of PDX for anti-cancer drug discovery and development. The company is focused on preclinical pharmacology of anti-cancer agents and works with large pharmaceutical and biotech companies. http://www.oncotest.de

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
Beatrice Hirt
Communication Coordinator
[email protected]m
Tel.: +41-21-321-01-11

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]

Oncotest GmbH Contact
Dr. Ingmar Peitz
Business Development
[email protected]
Tel.: +49(0)761-51559-42

SOURCE The Debiopharm Group