Debiopharm and MSM Protein Technologies Sign Agreement for Research and Development...

Debiopharm and MSM Protein Technologies Sign Agreement for Research and
Development of Debio 0929, a Novel Oncology Biologic

LAUSANNE, Switzerland and MEDFORD, Massachussets, July 30 /PRNewswire/ --
Debiopharm Group (Debiopharm), a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group
of companies with a focus on the development of prescription drugs that
target unmet medical needs, and MSM Protein Technologies (MSM), a human
antibody drug discovery company with world class expertise in targeting
multi-spanning membrane proteins, announce the signature of an exclusive
agreement for the development and commercialisation of Debio 0929, an
antibody targeting a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), to be developed into
a new oncology therapeutic drug.
Under the terms of the agreement, Debiopharm and MSM haveformed a
partnership to select antibodies against the GPCR. Upon completion of the
discovery phase, MSM will grant Debiopharm a worldwide exclusive licence for
the development and commercialisation of the antibody. MSM will retain
marketing rights for Russia, Ukraine and several other countries in Eastern
Europe and Asia. MSM will receive milestone payments from Debiopharm during
the development of the product, as well as a share of royalties on net sales.
"We usually licence-in compounds with existing animal proof of concept,
but we were seduced by MSM's technology and their expertise in the generation
of antibodies aimed at GPCRs," said Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, President and
Founder of Debiopharm Group. "This is a win-win situation, our companies
complement one another. MSMs discovery expertise, together with our
experience in drug development should lead to innovative oncology
therapeutics."
"This is a transformational deal for MSM because it represents our first
jointly owned program with a global partner. We are pleased to be working
with Debiopharm because they are an excellent company that complements MSM's
skill set. We are also happy to be among Debiopharm's partners in the
antibody space," added Davis Farmer, MSM's Chairman.
Tajib A. Mirzabekov, Ph.D., President and CEO of MSM commented: "This is
a very exciting transaction for MSM. We are working with a great partner, on
a very exciting and valuable target and we have the chance to launch what may
be the first novel biologic in Russia through our Russian subsidiary,
Meprotek. It provides a substantial validation for our technology and our
team to work with a company of Debiopharm's caliber. There is a great need in
targeting of GPCRs with functionally active, high quality and potent human
monoclonal antibodies."
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. It develops its products for global registration and
maximum commercial potential. Once registered, the products are out-licensed
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 four products with global combined sales in excess of $2.6
billion in 2008.
For more information on Debiopharm Group, please visit:
http://www.debiopharm.com.
About MSM Protein Technologies
MSM is a closely held drug discovery company based in Boston, MA. MSM is
the leader in the discovery of antibodies targeting multispanning membrane
proteins. The company applies its proprietary SIMPL (TM) platform and
magnetic proteoliposome particles (MPLs) to display multispanners such as
GPCRs in highly concentrated and purified form while retaining their native
conformation and orientation thereby maximizing the probability of raising
functional antibodies. MSM has demonstrated the ability to raise functional
human antibodies against a number of GPCRs and other membrane proteins.
MSM was formed in 2005 on the basis of technology originally developed at
the Dana Farber Cancer Institute by the company's founding scientist and
subsequently licensed to MSM. Since then the Company has developed
additional, novel technologies that provide greater power and sensitivity to
the search for antibody drugs to multispanners.
For more information on MSM, please visit: http://www.msmprotein.com
About G-protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs)
GPCRs comprise a large protein family of transmembrane receptors that
sense molecules outside the cell and activate inside signal transduction
pathways and, ultimately, cellular responses. A G-protein is an intracellular
membrane associated protein, responsible for activating the signalling
cascade. GPCRs are coupled to G-proteins. GPCRs are the largest, most
versatile group of membrane receptors and also the most pharmaceutically
important, as more than 30% of the low-molecular weight drugs currently on
the market are targeting this kind of receptors.
Debiopharm S.A. Contact

Maurice Wagner
Director Corporate Affairs & Communication
Tel: +41(0)21-321-01-11
Fax: +41(0)21-321-01-69
mwagner@debiopharm.com

MSM Protein Technologies Contact
Davis Farmer
Chairman
Tel: +1-781-321-3322
Fax: +1-781-321-3360
dfarmer@msmprotein.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
Martina Schwarzkopf, Ph.D.
Account Executive
Tel: +1-212-845-4292
Fax: +1-212-845-4260
martina.schwarzkopf@russopartnersllc.com

SOURCE Debiopharm Group

Debiopharm S.A. Contact: Maurice Wagner, Director Corporate Affairs &
Communication, Tel: +41(0)21-321-01-11, Fax: +41(0)21-321-01-69,
mwagner@debiopharm.com; MSM Protein Technologies Contact: Davis Farmer,
Chairman, Tel: +1-781-321-3322 , Fax: +1-781-321-3360, dfarmer@msmprotein.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
, Martina Schwarzkopf, Ph.D., Account Executive, Tel: +1-212-845-4292, Fax:
+1-212-845-4260, martina.schwarzkopf@russopartnersllc.com