Lausanne, Switzerland, August 30, 2007 – Debiopharm Group (Debiopharm), a global independent biopharmaceutical development specialist in oncology and serious medical conditions, today presented the ‘Debiopharm Life Sciences Award’ to Hungarian scientist Dr Zoltan Nusser for his outstanding research in both fundamental and clinical neuroscience. Funded by Debiopharm and organised by the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), the ceremony took place during the EPFL Life Science Symposium 2007. Dr Nusser and his institute received CHF 100’000 and an etched crystal tribute commemorating this honour.
“We were impressed with the quality of research conducted by Dr Nusser,” said Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, President of Debiopharm Group. “And more importantly, his work could be applied to drugs that would make a difference to the lives of patients.”
“The Debiopharm Life Sciences Award 2007 underscores the spectacular progress we have made in understanding the fundamental mechanisms involved in sensorial perception,” added Patrick Aebischer, President of EPFL.
Dr Nusser’s work, at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences of Budapest, focuses on understanding the sub cellular organisation and function of synapses in the central nervous system (CNS) and their involvement in neuronal network activities underlying sensory perception. The application of his research could lead to the development of new treatments for patients suffering from CNS diseases. He has received various prizes and has published his research in leading publications including Nature, Neuron and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
About the Debiopharm Life Sciences Award
The Award was set up to mentor and motivate young innovative European researchers in the field of life sciences. Criteria for applications include novelty and originality of the work, as well as its importance and significance in connection with targeted therapeutic fields.
Debiopharm also presents the ‘Debiopharm-CCRF China Award’ in China; and the ‘JCA-Mauvernay Award’ in Japan.
About Debiopharm Group
Debiopharm Group is a global biopharmaceutical development specialist 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 $2.6 billion in 2006.
For more information on Debiopharm Group, please visit: www.debiopharm.com