Novartis has gained exclusive rights to develop and market Debio 025 (alisporivir), a potential first-in-class antiviral agent currently in Phase IIb development for the treatment of hepatitis C. Debio 025 is the first in a new class of drugs called cyclophilin inhibitors which could become part of the future standard of care for the disease.

Debio 025 has been in-licensed from Debiopharm Group(TM), an independent biopharmaceuticals company based in Switzerland, under an agreement which gives Novartis exclusive worldwide development and marketing rights (excluding Japan). Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will make an upfront payment to Debiopharm, and Debiopharm will be eligible for milestone payments, and for royalties on future sales of Debio 025, if it is approved. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

"Hepatitis C is sometimes referred to as a 'silent epidemic' because the virus can lie dormant in the body for years or even decades before the symptoms become apparent," said David Epstein, CEO of the Novartis Pharmaceuticals Division. "Novartis is dedicated to developing medicines that will reduce the impact of this disease on patients, and we believe that Debio 025 could prove an important step forward by significantly enhancing the efficacy of existing therapy that forms the standard of care for hepatitis C."

More than 170 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV)(3), and this can cause serious liver disease leading to cirrhosis or liver cancer which may result in death. There is an urgent need for more effective medications, often used in combination, as current therapy is only effective in around 50% of patients with the most prevalent form of the virus, called genotype 1(2).

Cyclophilin inhibitors such as Debio 025 provide a novel approach to treatment by targeting host proteins that are involved in the growth of the hepatitis C virus. Results of a Phase II study show that Debio 025 significantly reduced HCV replication when used alone, and had an important additive anti-HCV effect (4.6 log10 reduction) in combination with pegylated interferon alfa-2a in treatment-naïve patients(1). No significant safety issues have been identified so far.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase IIb study is now under way to assess the efficacy and safety of Debio 025 in combination with the current standard of care for hepatitis C - peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin - in treatment-naïve patients. The study is being conducted in patients with the most common genotype 1. Debio 025 is also effective against other genotypes of the virus(1,4).

The in-licensing of Debio 025 represents a further expansion of the Novartis hepatitis C portfolio following the filing of Joulferon®/Zalbin® (albinterferon alfa-2b) for European and US regulatory approval at the end of 2009. In Phase III studies, Joulferon dosed every two weeks showed similar efficacy to peginterferon alfa-2a dosed weekly while requiring half the number of injections. Albinterferon alfa-2b is being developed and will be co-commercialized in the US together with Human Genome Sciences, who filed for US approval under the brand name Zalbin® .

About Novartis
Novartis provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused solely on healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines, diagnostic tools and consumer health products. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in these areas. In 2009, the Group's continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 44.3 billion, while approximately USD 7.5 billion was invested in R&D activities throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 100,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

1. Flisiak R, et al. The cyclophilin inhibitor Debio 025 combined with PEG IFNalpha2a significantly reduces viral load in treatment-naïve hepatitis C patients. Hepatology 2009;49 (5):1460-8.
2. Hoofnagle JH. A step forward in therapy for hepatitis C. N Engl J Med. 2009;360 (18):1899-901.
3. Lauer GM, Walker BD. Hepatitis C virus infection. N Engl J Med. 2001;345 (1):41-52.
4. Flisiak R, et al. The cyclophilin inhibitor Debio-025 shows potent anti-hepatitis C effect in patients coinfected with hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus. Hepatology. 2008;47(3):817-26.