Debiopharm S.A. Signs R&D And Commercialization Agreement With Kirin Pharmaceutical For The Development Of Debio-0719 In Oncology

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, January 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Debiopharm Group (Debiopharm), a Global independent biopharmaceutical development company specialising in oncology and serious medical conditions, announced the signature of an exclusive R&D and commercialisation agreement with Kirin Brewery Company, Ltd. (Kirin) for Debio-0719, a highly potent inhibitor of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling, in early preclinical development for the treatment of local as well as metastatic cancer.

Under the terms of the agreement, Debiopharm will fully manage and fund the development of Debio-0719, before out-licensing to sales and marketing partners in all territories outside of Asia, where Kirin will maintain development and commercialisation rights. Kirin will receive milestone payments, as well as royalties based on Debiopharm's revenues from worldwide sales.

Debio-0719, formerly named Ki16425/Ki16198, was discovered by Kirin in a screen for small molecule inhibitors of LPA receptors. LPA plays multiple key roles in human cancer, including cancer cell growth, survival, invasion and metastasis. The inappropriate production of LPA in most cancers and its role in controlling multiple signal transduction pathways involved in tumor growth and metastasis make it a highly compelling therapeutic target for cancer.

About Debiopharm Group

Debiopharm Group is a global biopharmaceutical development company 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 $2.6 billion in 2006.

For more information on Debiopharm Group, please visit: www.debiopharm.com.

About Kirin

Kirin, established in 1907, is one of the Japanese largest beer companies. In more recent years Kirin has expanded its business beyond its traditional domestic beer operations to develop a strong portfolio of businesses in pharmaceuticals, overseas alcohol beverages, soft drinks and other areas.

Pharmaceutical Division of Kirin is committed to providing innovative pharmaceuticals to patients in the field of kidney diseases, cancer (including hematological disorders), immune diseases, and infectious diseases by using its unique and strong medicinal chemistry and biotechnology. Pharmaceutical Division of Kirin has established operations in Asian countries and is expanding its activities globally as an innovative pharmaceutical company.

For more information on Pharmaceutical Division, Kirin, please visit: http://www.kirin.co.jp/

CONTACT: Debiopharm Contacts: Kim Bill, VP, Business & Legal Affairs,Debiopharm S.A., Tel.: +41-21-321-01-11, Fax: +41-21-321-01-69,kbill@debio.com. Kirin Contacts: Hideki Okawara, VP, Licensing,Pharmaceutical Division, Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd., Tel: +81-3-5485-6206,Fax: +81-3-5485-6720, h-okawara@kirin.co.jp. Additional Media Contacts: InLondon, Maitland, Brian Hudspith, Tel: +44-(0)20-7379-5151,bhudspith@maitland.co.uk. In New York: Noonan Russo, A division of, EuroRSCG Life PR, Wendy Lau, Account Supervisor, Tel: +1-212-845-4272, Fax:+1-212-845-4260, wendy.lau1@eurorscg.com