Debiopharm
Encyclopedia
Debiopharm Group™ is a global biopharmaceutical
group of companies comprising Debiopharm S.A., Debio R.P. S.A. (Recherche Pharmaceutique), Debioclinic S.A. and the two financial arms Debiomanagement S.A. and Debioinnovation S.A. The group applies scientific and clinical expertise to address unmet medical needs through the in-licensing of promising biologics and small molecules, the clinical development of the same and the out-licensing for commercialiasation.
The group has a successful track record in expedite clinical drug development and is family owned. The company’s leadership position in clinical development has been documented through the development of triptorelin
under the brandnames Decapeptyl®/Trelstar®/Pamorelin® for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer
, endometriosis
, uterine fibromyomas, precocious puberty
, female infertility
, breast cancer
and ovarian cancer
, and under the brandnames Moapar®/Salvacyl® for the treatment of severe sexual deviations and of oxaliplatin
(Eloxatin®/Elplat®) for the treatment of colorectal cancer
.
For thirty years Debiopharm Group™ has established alliances with leading biotech, pharmaceutical
and start-up companies as well as with academic institutions. Sanofi-Aventis, Ipsen Pharma
, Novartis
, Curis, MSM Protein Technologies, Mercury Therapeutics, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)are a few examples of Debiopharm partners.
, Switzerland
. The group consists of five companies:
• Debiopharm S.A. a biopharmaceutical development company that in-licenses promising biologics and small molecule drug candidates for global development;
• Debio R.P. S.A. (Recherche Pharmaceutique) - a company conducting applied research on molecules and drug delivery systems. Debio R.P. S.A. production facilities are FDA and Swissmedic-inspected.
• Debioclinic S.A. - a clinical research unit providing regulatory,
biometric, pharmaceutical, clinical and project management support;
• Debioinnovation S.A. – a company financing Debiopharm's investments into biotechnology and pharmaceutical start-ups to create synergies with the group;
• Debiomanagement S.A. – the financial arm of Debiopharm Group™ comprising a financial and a real estate department.
Industry: Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Diagnostic
Products
Eloxatin®/Elplat®
3 formulations of Decapeptyl®/Trelstar®/Pamorelin®
Moapar®/Salvacyl®
The company first worked on interferon
and in 1982, started to focus on triptorelin after acquiring the rights to its development from Tulane University. The first license to market triptorelin was obtained in France, in 1986.
In 1989, Debiopharm in-licensed oxaliplatin from Nagoya City University. The drug was first approved in Europe, in 1996.
Debioclinic S.A. was founded in 1993.
In september 2004, after having occupied various locations in Lausanne, Debiopharm Group moved its headquarters to its current situation. Today, the Debiopharm Group™ consists of 340 employees from 18 different countries and is supported by 400 external advisers.
Products developed by Debiopharm Group™ and brought to market:
• Oxaliplatin
(Eloxatin®/Elplat®) for the treatment of colorectal cancer
(marketed by Sanofi-Aventis)
• Triptorelin
(Decapeptyl®/Trelstar®/Pamorelin®) for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer
, endometriosis
, uterine fibroids
, precocious puberty
, in vitro fertilization programs (as 1-month, 3-months, and 6-months formulations)(marketed by Ipsen Pharma
in most EU countries, by Watson in the US, Mepha in Switzerland and various partners in Latin America)
• Triptorelin
(Moapar®/Salvacyl®) for the treatment of severe sexual deviations
(marketed by Ipsen Pharma
).
Examples of drugs currently in clinical development:
• Debio 025 - Alisporivir
(out-licensed to Novartis
worldwide with the exception of Japan) - being developed for the treatment of hepatitis C virus
(HCV) infection
• Debio 0932 (in-licensed from Curis) - a small molecule inhibitor targeting Heat Shock Protein 90
(Hsp90) - expected to be registered for an oncology indication
• Debio 0827 (in-licensed from Pharmaleads SAS) - being developed for the treatment of chronic pain conditions.
Examples of projects in pre-clinical or earlier stages of development:
• Debio 0719 (in-licensed from Kirin Brewery Company Ltd.) - a molecule inhibitor of the lysophosphatidic acid
(LPA) receptors - being developed for cancer treatment
• Debio 0617 (in-licensed from Aurigene Discovery Technologies Ltd.) is being researched for the treatment of cancer
• Debio 0930 (in-licensed from Mercury Therapeutics, Inc.) - a small molecule activator of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
• Debio 0826 (co-developed with the EPFL)- a program aimed at the identification of novel small molecules and peptides
that have anti-tumoral, anti-metastatic
and anti-angiogenic
properties and fight cancer stem cells
• Debio 0929 (co-developed with MSM Protein Technologies - an antibody
targeting a G protein-coupled receptor
(GPCR) to be developed into a new oncology therapeutic drug
• 2010 - Debiopharm Group™ was awarded the “Frost & Sullivan European Biopharmaceuticals Company of the Year Award”
• 2004 - Eloxatin® was awarded the Prix Galien
, Switzerland.
Biopharmaceutical
Biopharmaceuticals are medical drugs produced using biotechnology. They include proteins , nucleic acids and living microorganisms like virus and bacteria where the virulence of viruses and bacteria is reduced by the process of attenuation, they can be used for therapeutic or in vivo diagnostic...
group of companies comprising Debiopharm S.A., Debio R.P. S.A. (Recherche Pharmaceutique), Debioclinic S.A. and the two financial arms Debiomanagement S.A. and Debioinnovation S.A. The group applies scientific and clinical expertise to address unmet medical needs through the in-licensing of promising biologics and small molecules, the clinical development of the same and the out-licensing for commercialiasation.
The group has a successful track record in expedite clinical drug development and is family owned. The company’s leadership position in clinical development has been documented through the development of triptorelin
Triptorelin
Triptorelin, a decapeptide , is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist used at the acetate or pamoate salts. By causing constant stimulation of the pituitary, it decreases pituitary secretion of gonadotropins luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone...
under the brandnames Decapeptyl®/Trelstar®/Pamorelin® for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
, endometriosis
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a gynecological medical condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the ovaries. The uterine cavity is lined by endometrial cells, which are under the influence of female hormones...
, uterine fibromyomas, precocious puberty
Precocious puberty
As a medical term, precocious puberty describes puberty occurring at an unusually early age. In most of these children, the process is normal in every respect except the unusually early age, and simply represents a variation of normal development. In a minority of children, the early development is...
, female infertility
Precocious puberty
As a medical term, precocious puberty describes puberty occurring at an unusually early age. In most of these children, the process is normal in every respect except the unusually early age, and simply represents a variation of normal development. In a minority of children, the early development is...
, breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
and ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is a cancerous growth arising from the ovary. Symptoms are frequently very subtle early on and may include: bloating, pelvic pain, difficulty eating and frequent urination, and are easily confused with other illnesses....
, and under the brandnames Moapar®/Salvacyl® for the treatment of severe sexual deviations and of oxaliplatin
Oxaliplatin
Oxaliplatin is a coordination complex that is used in cancer chemotherapy. These platinum-based drugs are usually classified as alkylating agents, although they are not actually alkylating groups ....
(Eloxatin®/Elplat®) for the treatment of colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, is a cancer caused by uncontrolled cell growth , in the colon, rectum, or vermiform appendix. Colorectal cancer is clinically distinct from anal cancer, which affects the anus....
.
For thirty years Debiopharm Group™ has established alliances with leading biotech, pharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical company
The pharmaceutical industry develops, produces, and markets drugs licensed for use as medications. Pharmaceutical companies are allowed to deal in generic and/or brand medications and medical devices...
and start-up companies as well as with academic institutions. Sanofi-Aventis, Ipsen Pharma
Ipsen
Ipsen is a French pharmaceutical company headquartered in Paris, France. It primarily develops and markets medications used in oncology, endocrinology and the treatment of neuromuscular disorders. In 2005, Ipsen spent € 169 million—20.9% of consolidated sales—on research and development, according...
, Novartis
Novartis
Novartis International AG is a multinational pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland, ranking number three in sales among the world-wide industry...
, Curis, MSM Protein Technologies, Mercury Therapeutics, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)are a few examples of Debiopharm partners.
Structure
Debiopharm Group™ was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in LausanneLausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. The group consists of five companies:
• Debiopharm S.A. a biopharmaceutical development company that in-licenses promising biologics and small molecule drug candidates for global development;
• Debio R.P. S.A. (Recherche Pharmaceutique) - a company conducting applied research on molecules and drug delivery systems. Debio R.P. S.A. production facilities are FDA and Swissmedic-inspected.
• Debioclinic S.A. - a clinical research unit providing regulatory,
biometric, pharmaceutical, clinical and project management support;
• Debioinnovation S.A. – a company financing Debiopharm's investments into biotechnology and pharmaceutical start-ups to create synergies with the group;
• Debiomanagement S.A. – the financial arm of Debiopharm Group™ comprising a financial and a real estate department.
Industry: Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Diagnostic
Products
Eloxatin®/Elplat®
3 formulations of Decapeptyl®/Trelstar®/Pamorelin®
Moapar®/Salvacyl®
History
In 1979, Dr. Rolland-Yves Mauvernay founded Debiopharm Group™. In 1981, the laboratory Cytotech was created in Martigny and a few years later became Debio R.P..The company first worked on interferon
Interferon
Interferons are proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens—such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites—or tumor cells. They allow communication between cells to trigger the protective defenses of the immune system that eradicate pathogens or tumors.IFNs belong to...
and in 1982, started to focus on triptorelin after acquiring the rights to its development from Tulane University. The first license to market triptorelin was obtained in France, in 1986.
In 1989, Debiopharm in-licensed oxaliplatin from Nagoya City University. The drug was first approved in Europe, in 1996.
Debioclinic S.A. was founded in 1993.
In september 2004, after having occupied various locations in Lausanne, Debiopharm Group moved its headquarters to its current situation. Today, the Debiopharm Group™ consists of 340 employees from 18 different countries and is supported by 400 external advisers.
Products & Pipeline
Products & PipelineProducts developed by Debiopharm Group™ and brought to market:
• Oxaliplatin
Oxaliplatin
Oxaliplatin is a coordination complex that is used in cancer chemotherapy. These platinum-based drugs are usually classified as alkylating agents, although they are not actually alkylating groups ....
(Eloxatin®/Elplat®) for the treatment of colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, is a cancer caused by uncontrolled cell growth , in the colon, rectum, or vermiform appendix. Colorectal cancer is clinically distinct from anal cancer, which affects the anus....
(marketed by Sanofi-Aventis)
• Triptorelin
Triptorelin
Triptorelin, a decapeptide , is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist used at the acetate or pamoate salts. By causing constant stimulation of the pituitary, it decreases pituitary secretion of gonadotropins luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone...
(Decapeptyl®/Trelstar®/Pamorelin®) for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
, endometriosis
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a gynecological medical condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the ovaries. The uterine cavity is lined by endometrial cells, which are under the influence of female hormones...
, uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids
A uterine fibroid is a benign tumor that originates from the smooth muscle layer and the accompanying connective tissue of the uterus.Fibroids are the most common benign tumors in...
, precocious puberty
Precocious puberty
As a medical term, precocious puberty describes puberty occurring at an unusually early age. In most of these children, the process is normal in every respect except the unusually early age, and simply represents a variation of normal development. In a minority of children, the early development is...
, in vitro fertilization programs (as 1-month, 3-months, and 6-months formulations)(marketed by Ipsen Pharma
Ipsen
Ipsen is a French pharmaceutical company headquartered in Paris, France. It primarily develops and markets medications used in oncology, endocrinology and the treatment of neuromuscular disorders. In 2005, Ipsen spent € 169 million—20.9% of consolidated sales—on research and development, according...
in most EU countries, by Watson in the US, Mepha in Switzerland and various partners in Latin America)
• Triptorelin
Triptorelin
Triptorelin, a decapeptide , is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist used at the acetate or pamoate salts. By causing constant stimulation of the pituitary, it decreases pituitary secretion of gonadotropins luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone...
(Moapar®/Salvacyl®) for the treatment of severe sexual deviations
Paraphilia
Paraphilia is a biomedical term used to describe sexual arousal to objects, situations, or individuals that are not part of normative stimulation and that may cause distress or serious problems for the paraphiliac or persons associated with him or her...
(marketed by Ipsen Pharma
Ipsen
Ipsen is a French pharmaceutical company headquartered in Paris, France. It primarily develops and markets medications used in oncology, endocrinology and the treatment of neuromuscular disorders. In 2005, Ipsen spent € 169 million—20.9% of consolidated sales—on research and development, according...
).
Examples of drugs currently in clinical development:
• Debio 025 - Alisporivir
Debio 025
Alisporivir , or Debio 025, DEB025, is a cyclophilin inhibitor. Its structure is reminiscent of, and synthesized from ciclosporin.It inhibits cyclophilin D. Alisporivir is not immunosuppressive....
(out-licensed to Novartis
Novartis
Novartis International AG is a multinational pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland, ranking number three in sales among the world-wide industry...
worldwide with the exception of Japan) - being developed for the treatment of hepatitis C virus
Hepatitis C virus
Hepatitis C virus is a small , enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae...
(HCV) infection
• Debio 0932 (in-licensed from Curis) - a small molecule inhibitor targeting Heat Shock Protein 90
Hsp90
Hsp90 is a molecular chaperone and is one of the most abundant proteins expressed in cells. It is a member of the heat shock protein family, which is upregulated in response to stress...
(Hsp90) - expected to be registered for an oncology indication
• Debio 0827 (in-licensed from Pharmaleads SAS) - being developed for the treatment of chronic pain conditions.
Examples of projects in pre-clinical or earlier stages of development:
• Debio 0719 (in-licensed from Kirin Brewery Company Ltd.) - a molecule inhibitor of the lysophosphatidic acid
Lysophosphatidic acid
Lysophosphatidic acid is a phospholipid derivative that can act as a signaling molecule.-Function:LPA acts as a potent mitogen due to its activation of three high-affinity G-protein-coupled receptors called LPA1, LPA2, and LPA3...
(LPA) receptors - being developed for cancer treatment
• Debio 0617 (in-licensed from Aurigene Discovery Technologies Ltd.) is being researched for the treatment of cancer
• Debio 0930 (in-licensed from Mercury Therapeutics, Inc.) - a small molecule activator of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
• Debio 0826 (co-developed with the EPFL)- a program aimed at the identification of novel small molecules and peptides
Peptide
Peptides are short polymers of amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds. They are distinguished from proteins on the basis of size, typically containing less than 50 monomer units. The shortest peptides are dipeptides, consisting of two amino acids joined by a single peptide bond...
that have anti-tumoral, anti-metastatic
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
and anti-angiogenic
Angiogenesis
Angiogenesis is the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. Though there has been some debate over terminology, vasculogenesis is the term used for spontaneous blood-vessel formation, and intussusception is the term for the formation of new blood...
properties and fight cancer stem cells
• Debio 0929 (co-developed with MSM Protein Technologies - an antibody
Antibody
An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique part of the foreign target, termed an antigen...
targeting a G protein-coupled receptor
G protein-coupled receptor
G protein-coupled receptors , also known as seven-transmembrane domain receptors, 7TM receptors, heptahelical receptors, serpentine receptor, and G protein-linked receptors , comprise a large protein family of transmembrane receptors that sense molecules outside the cell and activate inside signal...
(GPCR) to be developed into a new oncology therapeutic drug
Awards
• 2011 - Debiopharm Group™ heads the HR ranking of the Bilan Magazine, SME category• 2010 - Debiopharm Group™ was awarded the “Frost & Sullivan European Biopharmaceuticals Company of the Year Award”
• 2004 - Eloxatin® was awarded the Prix Galien
Sponsorship
Debiopharm Group™ has funded a chair at the EPFL, and sponsors three scientific awards; the Debiopharm Life Sciences Award (EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland); the JCA (Japanese Cancer Association)-Mauvernay Award and the Debiopharm / Valais Life Sciences Award in ValaisValais
The Valais is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland in the southwestern part of the country, around the valley of the Rhône from its headwaters to Lake Geneva, separating the Pennine Alps from the Bernese Alps. The canton is one of the drier parts of Switzerland in its central Rhône valley...
, Switzerland.