Salvacyl(R), Developed by Debiopharm, is Launched in two European Countries

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, June 23 /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, announced that Salvacyl(R) (also known under the trade names Moapar(R) and Salvapar(R)), was launched in Germany in May 2009, by Dr R. Pfleger GmbH. In April 2009, Salvacyl(R) was also launched on a preliminary basis in Belgium. The effective commercial launch will take place in a couple of months. Salvacyl(R) contains the active substance triptorelin, a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist analogue. The product will be prescribed for the reversible reduction of serum testosterone to the level of castration in order to lower sexual drive in adult men suffering from sexual deviations.

“This is a great accomplishment for Debiopharm. Salvacyl(R) is the fourth product we have developed and made available to doctors for the treatment of a serious condition,” said Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, President and Founder of Debiopharm Group. “We can now offer people suffering from this controversial disorder an alternative and a complementary treatment to surgical and currently used chemical castrations, as well as to other types of medication.”

Salvacyl(R) is registered in seven other European countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and Finland, and will be launched progressively by Debiopharm’s commercial partners in the course of 2009 and 2010. Moapar(R) is currently undergoing a registration procedure with Swissmedic in Switzerland.

About Salvacyl(R)

In the treatment of sexual deviations in men, intra-muscular administration of Salvacyl(R) every 3 months, in combination with psychotherapy, is an advantage over daily oral forms or intra-muscular weekly injections that are required with anti-androgens such as cyproterone acetate (CPA) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). There are also fewer side effects.

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 three 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.

CONTACT: Debiopharm S.A. Contacts: Maurice Wagner, Director Corporate
Affairs & Communication Tel.: +41(0)21-321-01-11 Fax: +41(0)21-321-01-69
mwagner@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 Martina Schwarzkopf, Ph.D. Account Executive Tel:
+1-212-845-4292 Fax: +1-212-845-4260
martina.schwarzkopf@russopartnersllc.com

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