Companies

CIS Pharma is a pharmaceutical research company specialised in drug delivery. We develop novel treatments in the fields of ophthalmology and dermatology. Our headquarter is found in Bubendorf near Basel, Switzerland.

Applying innovative chemistry CIS Pharma develops novel, target-specific treatments to improve patient care and address unmet medical needs.

CIS Pharma offers licenses for the development, manufacturing and distribution of our innovations.

With regards to Cellophil we are looking for partners with a strong polymer development and sales platform. We provide cGMP-manufacturing of monomers as well as regulatory support for DMF filing. The offered Cellophil biomedical polymer technology has a wide range of applications. Our vision is to set a new gold standard in the field of biomedical polymers within the next 5 years.

CIS Pharma has developed Cellophil(TM), a group of polyacryloyl-alpha-aminoacids that show superior biocompatibility in comparison to polymers currently used in biomedical applications such as PMMA, MMA, HEMA and the like. Cellophil(TM) polymers improve the acceptance of many implants and medical devices. In addition to many applications in the field of implants and medical devices Cellophil (TM) is particularly designed for optical lenses, drug delivery and also may be used as additive for food and cosmetics or as a fiber for fabrics.

CIS Pharma has developed Suprofenac, a new nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) compound for the treatment of acute and chronic pain as well as ocular inflammation. NewCo, an investment vehicle based in Switzerland, acquires the rights for the development and commercial exploitation of Suprofenac. CIS Pharma has established business relationships with contract CRO's and created the intellectual property development plan combined with a high profile management team. NewCo offers company stock against outside investment participation for the purpose of advancing the technology through the clinical phases I and II.

CIS Pharma has acquired comarketing rights for Naturaceutical Delivery Corporation's (NDC) Preservative Free Drug Delivery System. In co-operation with NDC, CIS Pharma offers complete product development in the fields of ophthalmology, ENT, dermatology, cosmeceuticals and traditional cosmetics. With its joint expertise in drug delivery and formulation, CIS PHARMA creates new products based on NCE's and generic compounds in Naturaceutical Delivery Systems ®.

In December 2005, CIS Pharma signed an agreement with Biocydex to develop anti-cancer compound. Based on Biocydex integrated cyclodextrin biotechnology platform CIS Pharma will develop in co-operation with Biocydex a water soluble form of an anti-cancer compound. CIS Pharma and Biocydex share the IP rights for the compound with improved bioavalability properties.

In September 2005, CIS Pharma welcomed its strategic partner OphthalmoPharma in Bubendorf.

In December 2004, CIS Pharma licensed to Ophthalmopharma water soluble Cyclosporin A.

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Rolf Schäfer, Ph.D. (Chief Executive Officer)
Dr. Schäfer graduated in organic chemistry from the University of Basel, Switzerland. He earned his doctorate degree at the Max Planck Institute in Germany under Nobel Prize Laureates Professor Butenant, Professor Eigen and Professor Luenen. Further studies include neurophysiology at the University of Munich, viral replication at the Rockefeller Institute in New York and cell differentiation at the Stalk Institute in San Diego and the Institute Pasteur in Paris. In 1975 Dr. Schäfer joined the University of Basel as an assistant Professor and also attended Business School. In 1978 he joined CIS Pharma. He worked with heart transplant pioneer Dr. Christian Barnard on cell differentiation and immunology. Jointly they developed an anti-aging technology. As Chairman of the Board of Flint Holding AG, Dr. Schäfer is successfully growing a group of international companies in the field of pharmaceutical research, development and manufacturing. He is a Member of the American Chemical Society, The German Chemical Society, Union of Swiss Societies for Experimental Biology and The Rotary Club of Liestal, Switzerland.

Doris Schäfer, PhD (Chief Financial Officer)
Dr. Schäfer graduated in organic chemistry from the University of Basel, Switzerland. Subsequently she studied three years at the Max Planck Institute for molecular genetics in Berlin. She performed her post-doc work in the field of neuroscience at the Bio-Center in Basel. In 1977 she joined CIS Pharma as Director of Research and Analytics. She has successfully developed a vast variety of API's and production technologies as evidenced in her publications and patents. In 1986 Doris Schäfer assumed the responsibilities as CFO of the Flint Holding Group. Since 2000 Dr. Schäfer has been in charge of overseeing the construction of the US$ 25 million R&D facility and CIS Pharma / Solutia PSD corporate headquarters that was completed in November 2003. She is a Member of the American Chemical Society.

Hans Hitz, Ph.D. (Head of Research and Development)
Dr. Hitz graduated in organic chemistry from the University of Basel, Switzerland. He completed his doctoral thesis on molecular genetics at the Max Planck Institute in Germany. Subsequently he worked for two years in the field of molecular biology as post-doc at the Bio-Center in Basel. In 1977, Dr. Hitz became Director of Research and Development as well as Director of Nuclear Medicine at Solco AG in Basel. In 1983 he became co-founder and co-owner of Amcis AG, a pharmaceutical contract research, development and manufacturing company. As CEO and COO he led Amcis AG to an internationally recognized service organization with an extensive list of multi-national clients. His scientific advice is still recognised by its major clients. Dr. Hitz is the driving intellectual force in the development of ophthalmology and oncology products as well as in the development and synthesis of novel polymers for biomedical applications. He is a Member of the American Chemical Society, Union of Swiss Societies in Experimental Biology and the Swiss Astronomical Society.

Christoph Schäfer, M.B.A. (Director of Business Development)
Mr. Schäfer graduated with a master's degree in economics and business from the University of Basel, Switzerland. In addition to his business education, he has worked in R&D laboratories to understand the scientific work done at the bench. He was working for Novartis (Ciba) to restructure its Polymer Division. Subsequently he was working for Alcon the market leader in eye care as a sales representative in the USA. Alcon promoted him to the position of product manager for Germany, France, Spain and other European countries. With marketing and sales experience in different foreign countries Mr. Schäfer returned to Switzerland in 2001 where he worked as a business process consultant for small and mid-sized international clients. Since 2003 Christoph Schäfer is Director Business Development and Licensing at CIS Pharma. He is a member of the Association of Economists, Basel.