The Switzerland-based Debiopharm Group (Debiopharm), a global independent biopharmaceutical development company specialising in oncology and serious medical conditions, and Aurigene Discovery Technologies Ltd (Aurigene), a Bangalore-based discovery services company, signed a research agreement to identify and develop compounds for two innovative immuno-oncology targets.

Under the terms of the agreement, Aurigene will contribute its expertise in discovery and in-vivo optimisation of lead compounds. Drug development expertise will be provided by Debiopharm. Debiopharm will pay Aurigene research milestones according to a pre-defined research plan and reimbursement of research costs upon achievement of a specific milestone.

"This research collaboration with Aurigene is one of Debiopharm's few drug discovery partnerships. Traditionally Debiopharm in-licenses compounds which have proof-of-concept in animals. I am confident that we will succeed as we have complementary skills and share the same level of motivation and enthusiasm," said Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, president and CEO of the Debiopharm Group.

"We are excited to work on these novel targets with Debiopharm which can potentially lead to first-in-class drugs in treating cancer and modulating the immune response," said Murali Ramachandra, VP, Preclinical Biology of Aurigene.

"Aurigene's discovery capability together with Debiopharm's drug development expertise is a powerful combination. Debiopharm is well respected and has a strong track record in drug development. We are pleased to be working with them on this programme," said CSN Murthy, CEO of Aurigene.

The 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 $2.2 billion in 2005.

Aurigene is a Bangalore-based Discovery Services company focused on collaborative drug discovery efforts with Pharmaceutical and Biotech (Drug Discovery) companies on a risk-sharing basis. Aurigene has integrated Discovery capabilities, from Target to Pre-clinical Lead Optimization, including in vitro and in vivo Biology and Medicinal Chemistry expertise. Aurigene's Structural Biology group also works on Structure Based Drug Design, with in-house crystallization (XRD) and Bio NMR (600 MHz) facilities.