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, today announced the signature of an exclusive licence agreement with Novartis for the development, manufacture and commercialisation of Debio 025 (alisporivir), a selective, first-in-class cyclophilin (Cyp) inhibitor with a potent anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) effect. The product is currently in phase 2b clinical development for the treatment of hepatitis C. Debiopharm granted Novartis worldwide commercialisation rights to Debio 025 except for Japan.

Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will pay Debiopharm an upfront, development and sales milestones as well as royalties. This transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

According to the World Health Organization 170 million people suffer from HCV in the world. “Sadly only 20% of those patients are treated adequately,” said Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, President and Founder of Debiopharm Group. “At Debiopharm, we have a strong commitment to providing HCV sufferers with an efficacious cure and are confident about the potential of an innovative, first-in-class compound such as Debio 025, which may represent a breakthrough in the treatment of Hepatitis C. We are very happy to be working alongside Novartis, a partner with a strong dedication to HCV.”