Alacrita and Debiopharm Group™ Collaborate to Identify Early Stage Drug Candidates From the Massachusetts Life Science Cluster

LAUSANNE, Switzerland and CAMBRIDGE, England, June 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Alacrita, the transatlantic life sciences consulting firm, and Debiopharm Group™ (Debiopharm), the Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical company, have established an alliance to identify oncological, autoimmune, infectious diseases as well as metabolic in-licensing opportunities stemming from the Massachusetts life science cluster. Alacrita will strengthen Debiopharm's in-house scouting team in their search for small molecules, antibody or peptide-based product candidates. The companies are seeking preclinical assets against novel targets which represent first-in-class opportunities.

Debiopharm focuses on the development of prescription drugs that target unmet medical needs. The company recently in-licensed assets from two Massachusetts companies, including Mercury Therapeutics Inc. (Woburn, MA) and Curis Inc. (Lexington, MA). In recognition of the depth and breadth of life science innovation in Massachusetts, Debiopharm sees the value of a local presence in the region and has selected Alacrita as its representative. Alacrita is also in charge of identifying opportunities for Debiopharm elsewhere on the East Coast.

David Deperthes, Vice President, Business Development & Licensing at Debiopharm said: "Massachusetts hosts global leaders in pharmaceutical innovation. As such, the area represents a strategic priority for us as we source opportunities from around the world to expand our pipeline of novel medicines. We are delighted to be working with Alacrita, a leading pharma consultancy on both sides of the Atlantic."

Rob Johnson, Partner at Alacrita Consulting, said: "Debiopharm's resources and expertise in global pharmaceutical development make it an ideal partner for Massachusetts organizations looking to move their preclinical programs into clinical trials. Debiopharm has a track record of shepherding early stage pharmaceutical programs into late stage clinical trials and has demonstrated extraordinary success in delivering new medical breakthroughs to patients, a testament to its impressive preclinical, clinical, manufacturing, drug delivery, formulation and regulatory expertise. Alacrita is proud to have been selected by Debiopharm to source new in-licensing opportunities for the group and enable the next generation of medical products."

Companies or academics with IP that fits Debiopharm's area of interest should send a non-confidential summary to Rob Johnson at rjohnson@alacritaconsulting.com.

About Alacrita

Alacrita is a rapidly growing management consulting firm providing expertise-based services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and life science sectors. The firm is supported by an unrivalled network of experts who operate across the spectrum of life sciences. Many are industry veterans with 25+ years of experience; others are professional independent consultants operating in the life science arena. Each consultant is carefully selected and Alacrita draws upon their specific capabilities and expertise when required. Alacrita combines extensive international industry experience (strategic, technical and commercial), broad functional capabilities and a track record of success across the industry.

Since inception, Alacrita has completed successful consulting projects for big pharma, biotech companies, life science investors, academia and government bodies. Alacrita operates out of offices in London UK and Cambridge MA, USA. For more information about Alacrita, please visit: http://www.alacritaconsulting.com

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. The group in-licenses, develops and/or co-develops promising biological and small molecule drug candidates having reached clinical development phases I, II or III, as well as earlier stage candidates. It develops its products for global registration and access to the largest number of patients worldwide. The products are out-licensed to pharmaceutical partners for sales and marketing. Debiopharm is also active in the field of companion diagnostics with a view to progressing in the area of personalised medicine. Debiopharm independently funds the worldwide development of all of its products while providing expertise in preclinical and clinical trials, manufacturing, drug delivery, formulation and regulatory affairs. For more information about the Debiopharm Group^™, please visit http://www.debiopharm.com.

Contact Debiopharm International S.A. :
Béatrice Hirt
Communication Coordinator
beatrice.hirt@debiopharm.com
Tel.: +41-21-321-01-11

Contacts supplémentaires pour la presse
Londres
Maitland
Brian Hudspith
Tel.: +44-(0)20-7379-5151
bhudspith@maitland.co.uk

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

Alacrita LLC Contact
Rob Johnson
Partner
One Broadway, 14^th floor
Kendall Square

Cambridge, MA 02142
Tel. : +1-617-758-4119
rjohnson@alacritaconsulting.com