'Debiopharm /Valais Award' for Augurix

Debiopharm Group™ (Debiopharm), a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group with a focus on drug development and companion diagnostics, presents the 2011 'Debiopharm /Valais Award' to Augurix Diagnostics (Augurix), a privately held company based in Monthey (Valais), that focuses on point-of-care testing in the field of gastro-enterology and initially on Celiac disease. Debio R.P., the Martigny-based structure of Debiopharm, will award 20'000 Swiss francs to Augurix CEO Thierry Duvanel during the ceremony that will take place on November 10th during the Ark Innovation Day at BioArk.

Augurix has developed a diagnostic test (Simtomax®) used for the screening of Celiac disease. The test replicates existing expensive laboratory diagnostic procedures, using a fraction of the blood sample normally required, and it delivers results in 10 minutes with equivalent reliability. The intended use of Simtomax® is to exclude Celiac disease when performing large screening or differential diagnosis, thereby moving faster towards therapy. This diagnostic test significantly reduces the medical costs and use of healthcare services.

"It is an honour for Augurix to receive the 2011 Debiopharm /Valais Award," declared Thierry Duvanel, CEO of Augurix SA. "Our company is focused on point-of-care testing, which is one of the major trends shaping the future of medical diagnostics. Receiving this award reinforces our vision and is a great incentive for us to move it forward."

"The jury was unanimous in its decision to elect Augurix for the Award," said Rolland-Yves Mauvernay, President and founder of Debiopharm Group™. "We were seduced by their skills in the diagnostic area and by their ability to develop a point-of-care strategy, which we are sure will open new approaches for the treatment of the Celiac and other diseases. Debiopharm is committed to the development of life sciences in the 'Health Valley' and believes strongly in the Valais of tomorrow. We wish Augurix all the best in their future endeavours."

"Augurix is a five-year old company that has demonstrated its total commitment to patients suffering from Celiac disease. The attachment of the company to the canton of Valais and their commitment to innovate at their location is additional evidence that the canton can attract sophisticated industries," added Dr Jean-Claude Villettaz, Vice President of The Ark Foundation and President of the Award jury.

About Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease is the most prevalent autoimmune disease in the world, affecting about 1% of the global population. It occurs in genetically predisposed individuals, due to an abnormal immune response to gluten, the storage protein of wheat. Celiac disease patients also react to similar proteins present in rye and barley. The vast majority of sufferers are not properly diagnosed, it is estimated that only about 1 in 5'000 patients suffering from the disease is diagnosed. Patients can be critically ill with diarrhoea and a classical mal-absorption syndrome, or with atypical symptoms that can affect any organ system. The atypical, non-diarrheal presentations are now the most frequent. It is this diverse mode of presentation that makes the diagnosis difficult to make. If left undiagnosed and untreated patients are at high risk of developing serious, high morbidity diseases, such as intestinal lymphoma, fertility disorders, osteoporosis, anaemia, or other autoimmune diseases. The total market of Celiac disease, including the therapeutic applications, is estimated to reach $8bn by 2019.