Debiopharm and Aurigene Enter into Research Agreement

The Debiopharm Group and Aurigene Discovery Technologies Ltd have signed a research agreement to identify and develop compounds for two 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," said Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, President and CEO of The Debiopharm Group.

"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."

"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," said CSN Murthy, CEO of Aurigene.

"Debiopharm is well respected and has a strong track record in drug development. We are pleased to be working with them on this programme."