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

LAUSANNE, Switzerland & MEDFORD, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
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 have formed 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: 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 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: 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.
Maurice Wagner, +41 (0)21 321 01 11
Director Corporate Affairs & Communication
Fax: +41 (0)21 321 01 69
mwagner@debiopharm.com
or
MSM Protein Technologies
Davis Farmer, +1-781-321-3322
Chairman
Fax: +1-781-321-3360
dfarmer@msmprotein.com
or
Additional Media Contacts
In London
Maitland
Brian Hudspith, +44 (0)20 7379 5151
bhudspith@maitland.co.uk
or
In New York
Russo Partners, LLC
Martina Schwarzkopf, Ph.D., +1 212-845-4292
Account Executive
Fax: +1 212-845-4260
martina.schwarzkopf@russopartnersllc.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009