Debiopharm Signs License Agreement for Marketing of Salvacyl(R)/Moapar(R) 3-Month in Treatment of Sexual Deviations

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Debiopharm Group (Debiopharm), a global independent biopharmaceutical development specialist focusing on serious medical conditions and particularly oncology, announced the signature of a license agreement with its long-term European pharmaceutical partner, for the marketing of Salvacyl®/Moapar® 3-month formulation, a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist analogue, effective in the treatment of severe sexual deviations in adult men by inducing and maintaining a reversible reduction of testosterone to castrate serum levels. Debiopharm has developed and received marketing authorisations for Salvacyl / Moapar in nine major European countries, including France, Germany, UK, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and Finland.

"There is a genuine unmet medical and social need for the treatment of sexual deviations. Not many pharma companies are willing or courageous enough to provide this type of treatment but we feel that we have a responsibility to help doctors and patients with the tools they need, even if it is difficult or controversial," said Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, President and Founder of Debiopharm Group.

About Salvacyl®/Moapar®

In the treatment of sexual deviations in men, administration of Salvacyl®/Moapar® every 3 months is an advantage over daily oral forms or intra-muscular weekly injections required with antiandrogens such as cyproterone acetate (CPA) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and there are fewer side effects.

Two studies have shown that regular injections of the active ingredient, triptorelin, over a period of eight months to seven years in male patients with sexual deviations demonstrated a good efficacy and safety profile. Triptorelin produced reversible serum castrate testosterone levels (defined as less than or equal to 1.735 nmol/L) in all patients, and concurrently with the decrease in testosterone levels, triptorelin treatment reduced deviant sexual behaviours in 35/36 patients with severe sexual deviations.

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

Kim Bill VP, Corporate Development Tel.: +41(0)21-321-01-11 Fax: +41(0)21-321-01-69 kbill@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: The Debiopharm Group