Debiopharm Diagnostics Leads Investment Round in GenePOC With Emerillon Capital

Lausanne, Switzerland (ots/PRNewswire) - GenePOC is a Canadian
company which has developed a rapid,
innovative, low cost MDx platform for the detection of infectious
diseases

Debiopharm Diagnostics
[https://www.debiopharm.com/about-us/debiopharm-diagnostics-s-a.html
], part of Debiopharm Group
[https://www.debiopharm.com/about-us/debiopharm-group.html ](TM), is
proud to be the lead investor in GenePOC, which is developing a
highly innovative, low cost and quick MDx (Molecular Diagnostics)
platform. Debiopharm Diagnostics led this investment round together
with Emerillon Capital and will become the largest shareholder in
GenePOC.

Prof. Michel G. Bergeron, Director and Founder of the Infectious
Disease Research Center at Université Laval and Founder of GenePOC,
with his research group, conceived this simple microfluidic real-time
PCR device that is easy for almost anyone to operate whether at
bedside, in the emergency room, in physician offices, in pharmacies,
or even in dispensaries in the developing world. "It fulfils my dream
of moving from classical Pasteur microbiology taking up to two days,
to near patient <1h diagnostic results which guide appropriate
management of patients on the spot," says Dr. Bergeron.

"The investment in GenePOC confirms our strong belief in the future
success of Point of Care technologies. GenePOC technology has the
potential to be a game changer and should be on the market in 2016,"
said David Deperthes, CEO of Debiopharm Diagnostics.

"With GenePOC's platform we will be able to revolutionize diagnosis
of infectious diseases. It addresses the critical issues of rapidity
and affordability, to give the first viable alternative to the
current standard and time-consuming approach of microbial culture. We
are delighted to have Debiopharm Diagnostics and Emerillon Capital as
key investors," said Patrice Allibert, CEO of GenePOC.

Ludovic André, Managing Director of Emerillon Capital added: "GenePOC
has the capability to offer a simple and accurate solution for Point
of Care testing, and at an affordable cost which is a pre-requisite
to democratize this emerging diagnostic area. Emerillon is proud to
support this project driven by a world-class team in the field of
molecular diagnostic."

"With the emergence of bacterial antibiotic resistance the treatment
paradigm needs to be changed and the new generation of targeted
antibiotics will require associated rapid low-cost diagnostics. Our
Group will continue to invest on both therapeutic and diagnostic
sides to tackle this important issue," stated Thierry Mauvernay,
Delegate of the Board, Debiopharm Group(TM).

About Debiopharm Diagnostics SA

Debiopharm Diagnostics' mission is to invest in innovative diagnostic
companies developing platforms and content to complement in-house
diagnostic activities, give insight into cutting-edge diagnostics and
facilitate access to new technologies. Since 2008, Debiopharm
Diagnostics has invested over USD 85 million and led 9 out of the 13
last investment rounds in its portfolio companies.

For more information, please visit: http://www.debiopharm.com

We are on Twitter. Follow us @DebiopharmNews at
http://twitter.com/DebiopharmNews

About GenePOC

Located in Québec City, Canada, GenePOC Inc. is a privately owned
company that develops cost-effective and rapid molecular devices to
detect genes at Point-of-Care. GenePOC has developed a simple and
integrated portable instrument for the prevention and early detection
of infectious diseases based on a unique centripetal technology
platform. For more: http://www.genepoc-diagnostics.com/Home.shtml

About Emerillon Capital

Launched in Montreal in June 2013, Emerillon Capital is a $100M
venture capital fund empowered by a strong transatlantic partnership
between Groupe Crédit Mutuel - CIC and Mouvement Desjardins.
Emerillon Capital is dedicated to supporting and developing
technology companies in Canada and the northeastern USA. For more:
emerilloncapital.com/en/index.html
[http://emerilloncapital.com/en/index.html ]

Debiopharm International SA Contact
Christelle Tur
Communication Coordinator
[email protected]
Tel: +41-(0)21-321-01-11

Additional Media Contacts
In London
Maitland
Brian Hudspith
[email protected]
Tel: +44-(0)20-7379-5151

In New York
Russo Partners, LLC
Martina Schwarzkopf, Ph.D.
Account Executive
[email protected]
Tel: +1-212-845-4292

GenePOC Contact
Patrice Allibert
CEO
[email protected]
Tel: +1-418-650-3535

Emerillon Contact
Claude Kellenny
[email protected]
Tel : +1-514-281-2282

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