Corporate | 2 April 2014 07:27
DGAP-News: Evotec AG / Key word(s): Agreement
02.04.2014 / 07:27
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*Innovative partnership based on one of Evotec's Target X projects
*Evotec and Debiopharm to share discovery and development efforts
Lausanne, Switzerland and Hamburg, Germany - 02 April 2014: Evotec AG
(Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809) announced today
a research collaboration and licensing deal with Debiopharm Group(TM)
Lausanne, Switzerland. The objective of this collaboration is to identify
and develop novel compounds having the potential to treat multiple forms of
solid tumours and leukaemias with defined genetic alterations. Discovery
and pre-clinical development efforts will be driven by Evotec, whilst
Debiopharm will manage clinical development. Evotec will receive R&D
funding and high double-digit total payments triggered by clinical,
regulatory and commercial milestones, plus royalties on sales of resulting
commercial products.
This programme is based on Evotec's drug discovery efforts to investigate
genetically altered targets whose 'driver' role in several cancer types has
been validated and on the shared objective of identifying novel therapeutic
agents in a variety of cancers, including AML (Acute Myeloid Leukaemia),
prostate cancer and glioblastoma. Evotec is in the unique position of being
able to apply a broad range of highly sophisticated drug discovery tools
including state-of-the-art mass spectrometry and structure-based drug
design for rapid and efficient development of highly promising lead series.
Debiopharm is experienced in taking to maturity promising early-stage
biological or small molecule drug candidates from pre-clinical to clinical
development phase I, II and III, including subsequent out-licensing to
pharmaceutical partners for sales and marketing.
Dr Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec, commented: "We are
very excited about this innovative collaboration structure between
Debiopharm and Evotec. It combines our proven discovery platform with
Debiopharm's ability to advance projects through clinical development in a
highly efficient manner while sharing risks and rewards of Evotec's Target
X project. There is compelling science around the target and we are
confident that we will be able to position highly competitive compounds in
this field that hold great potential for difficult to treat cancers."
"This is a fine example of how drug discovery and development will be in
the future: a mixture of complementarities looking to bring to a defined
population of patients a drug that will change the outcome of disease",
added Andrés McAllister, Chief Scientific Officer, Debiopharm International
SA.
"Through this collaboration with Evotec, Debiopharm is strengthening its
position in early projects with a leader in the drug discovery field", said
Thierry Mauvernay, Delegate of the Board of Debiopharm Group. "Furthermore,
this R&D program targeting cancers with known genetic alterations is a
whole part of our strategy for personalized medicines."
ABOUT DEBIOPHARM GROUP(TM)
Debiopharm Group(TM) is a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group of
four companies active in drug development, GMP manufacturing of proprietary
drugs, diagnostics, and investments.
Debiopharm International SA is focused on the development of prescription
drugs that target unmet medical needs. The company in-licenses, develops
and/or co-develops promising biological and small molecule drug candidates
for global registration. The products are commercialized through
out-licensing to pharmaceutical partners to give access to the largest
number of patients worldwide. For more information about Debiopharm
Group(TM), please visit: www.debiopharm.com.
ABOUT EVOTEC AG
Evotec is a drug discovery alliance and development partnership company
focused on rapidly progressing innovative product approaches with leading
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. We operate worldwide providing
the highest quality stand-alone and integrated drug discovery solutions,
covering all activities from target-to-clinic. The Company has established
a unique position by assembling top-class scientific experts and
integrating state-of-the-art technologies as well as substantial experience
and expertise in key therapeutic areas including neuroscience, pain,
metabolic diseases as well as oncology and inflammation. Evotec has
long-term discovery alliances with partners including Bayer, Boehringer
Ingelheim, CHDI, Genentech, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, MedImmune/AstraZeneca
and Ono Pharmaceutical. In addition, the Company has existing development
partnerships and product candidates both in clinical and pre-clinical
development. These include partnerships with Boehringer Ingelheim,
MedImmune and Andromeda in the field of diabetes, with Janssen
Pharmaceuticals in the field of depression and with Roche in the field of
Alzheimer's disease. For additional information please go to
www.evotec.com.
Contact Evotec AG:
Gabriele Hansen, VP Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, Phone:
+49.(0)40.56081-255, gabriele.hansen@evotec.com
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS - Information set forth in this press release
contains forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent
the judgement of Evotec as of the date of this report. Such forward-looking
statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a
variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control,
and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contemplated in these forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any
obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to
any such statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change
in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is
based.
End of Corporate News
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Language: English
Company: Evotec AG
Manfred Eigen Campus / Essener Bogen 7
22419 Hamburg
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)40 560 81-0
Fax: +49 (0)40 560 81-222
E-mail: info@evotec.com
Internet: www.evotec.com
ISIN: DE0005664809
WKN: 566480
Indices: TecDAX
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard);
Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover,
München, Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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