Debiopharm and EPFL Sign Research Project Agreement to Identify Inhibitors of Signalling...

Debiopharm and EPFL Sign Research Project Agreement to Identify Inhibitors of
Signalling Pathways Controlling Cell Fate for Cancer Treatment

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, September 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Debiopharm Group
(Debiopharm), a global independent biopharmaceutical development specialist
focusing on serious medical conditions and particularly oncology, today
announced the signature of a research project with the Ecole Polytechnique
Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), aimed at the identification of novel small
molecules and peptides that interfere with pathways controlling cell fate
specification. The project, named Debio 0826, could lead to the development
of potential therapeutic compounds and to the identification of new targets
to fight cancer stem cells.
Following the signature of an EPFL-Debiopharm partnership on February 12,
this first joint research project will be performed under the supervision of
Dr. Freddy Radtke, Associate Professor at the Swiss Institute for
Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC) and Dr. Gerardo Turcatti, MER, Director
of the Biomolecular Screening Facility (BSF), two groups at the EPFL. Debio
0826 will benefit from the multiple molecular and genetic tools generated by
Dr. Radtke's group over the past 10 years, as well as the expertise of Dr.
Turcatti in the molecular screening field.
"Targeting pathways controlling cell fate specification could generate
innovative anti-cancer drugs with anti-tumoural, anti-metastatic and
anti-angiogenic properties to treat tumours that are currently resistant to
standard therapies," said Kamel Besseghir, CEO of Debiopharm S.A.
About Debiopharm Group
Debiopharm Group is a global biopharmaceutical development specialist
that in-licenses promising biologics and small molecule drug candidates.
Debiopharm develops its products for global registration and maximum
commercial potential for out-licensing to pharmaceutical partners for sales
and marketing. 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.
Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, Debiopharm
has developed three products with global combined sales in excess of $2.65
billion in 2007.
For more information on Debiopharm Group, please visit:
http://www.debiopharm.com.

Debiopharm S.A. Contacts
Andres McAllister
Chief Scientific Officer
Tel.: +41(0)21-321-01-11
Fax: +41(0)21-321-01-69
amcallister@debiopharm.com

Additional Media Contacts
In London
Maitland
Brian Hudspith
Tel: +44(0)20-7379-5151
bhudspith@maitland.co.uk

In New York
Russo Partners, LLC
Wendy Lau
Tel: +1-212-845-4272
Fax: +1-212-845-4260
wendy.lau@russopartnersllc.com

SOURCE Debiopharm Group

Debiopharm S.A. Contacts, Andres McAllister, Chief Scientific Officer, Tel.:
+41(0)21-321-01-11, Fax: +41(0)21-321-01-69, amcallister@debiopharm.com;
Additional Media Contacts, In London, Maitland, Brian Hudspith, Tel:
+44(0)20-7379-5151, bhudspith@maitland.co.uk, In New York, Russo Partners,
LLC, Wendy Lau, Tel: +1-212-845-4272, Fax: +1-212-845-4260,
wendy.lau@russopartnersllc.com