Kalypsys, Inc. Announces Small Molecule Research Collaboration With Alcon, Inc.

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Kalypsys, Inc. announced today that it has entered into a collaboration agreement with the objective of delivering ophthalmic drug candidates for development and commercialization by Alcon Research, Ltd. and Alcon Manufacturing, Ltd., which are affiliates of Alcon, Inc., the world's leading eye care company.

Under terms of a four year agreement, Kalypsys will receive an access fee, research support, and milestone payments. In addition, Kalypsys will receive royalty payments on net sales of commercial products. An additional component of the agreement gives Alcon preferred partnering access to compounds from Kalypsys programs.

"We are pleased that Alcon has partnered with Kalypsys to gain access to our technology, capabilities, and approach to drug discovery," commented John McKearn, President and CEO of Kalypsys. "Moreover, Alcon's access to Kalypsys programs amplifies the value of our pipeline and establishes a relationship to partner Kalypsys compounds with the premiere company in ophthalmology. We intend to enter into a limited number of important alliances in other therapeutic fields in the next 12-18 months and we are delighted that Alcon represents the first of our expected agreements."

In the collaboration, Kalypsys will use its uHTS technology and chemical library to identify and profile active molecules against collaboration targets. Kalypsys will also apply its medicinal chemistry and other drug discovery capabilities in partnership with Alcon's research capabilities and expertise in ophthalmology. Alcon will be responsible for all development, manufacturing, and commercialization of products.

"In our view, Kalypsys offers a unique combination of an experienced management team and world-class pharmaceutical technology to create a powerful drug discovery engine that we envision will help grow and advance our expected pipeline of novel and important drugs to treat diseases of the eye," said Martin B. Wax M.D., Alcon's Vice President of R&D and head of Ophthalmology Discovery Research.

About Kalypsys

Kalypsys is a privately owned San Diego small molecule drug discovery and development company that is applying its integrated drug discovery infrastructure, suite of ultra-high throughput lead discovery technologies, and seasoned team of scientists to advance its pipeline into clinical development. Kalypsys uses its technologies, integrated capabilities and sizeable drug-like compound collection to improve the drug discovery research process and generate a robust pipeline for itself and its partners. Kalypsys' mission is to participate in targeted commercial opportunities by building a sustainable drug candidate pipeline from target to proof of efficacy and safety in the clinic with unmatched speed, efficiency, and success rates. For more information on Kalypsys, please visit http://www.kalypsys.com.

Contacts: Kalypsys, Inc: Noonan Russo: John Delyani, Ph.D. Holli Kolkey Director, Business Development Phone: +1.858.546.4811 Phone: +1.858.754.3434 holli.kolkey@eurorscg.com

CONTACT: John Delyani, Ph.D., Director, Business Development, Kalypsys,Inc., +1-858-754-3434; or Holli Kolkey, Noonan Russo, +1-858-546-4811,holli.kolkey@eurorscg.com

Web site: http://www.kalypsys.com/