Corporate | 22 December 2014 07:28
DGAP-News: Evotec AG / Key word(s): Alliance
22.12.2014 / 07:28
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*Collaboration leverages the breadth & experience of Evotec's drug
discovery infrastructure
*Efforts will explore the use of a novel approach, discovered at Ohio
State, for targeting mutant KRas
Hamburg, Germany - 22 December 2014: Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange:
EVT, TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809) today announced a research collaboration
with the laboratories of Prof. Roger Briesewitz at The Ohio State
University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital
and Richard J. Solove Research Institute ("OSUCCC - James").
The objective of the collaboration is to progress a novel mechanism for
engaging the KRas target discovered at The Ohio State University using
Evotec's technology platform and broad expertise in drug discovery and
pre-clinical development, thereby validating and progressing novel leads
into pharmaceutically developable candidates.
KRas is a small GTPase regulating the RAS/MAPK signalling cascade that
governs cell division. Mutations in KRas are early transforming events in
tumourigenesis and are highly prevalent in lethal cancers such as lung,
colon and pancreatic cancer. Addressing the challenging tractability of
this well-established oncology target, work conducted at Ohio State
provides a novel route to engage the target.
"Working and initiating a strategic dialogue with OSUCCC is a great
privilege for us, especially in such an important field in oncology.
Activating mutations of KRas are one of the most frequent genetic events in
cancers, and yet mutant KRas has long been considered an intractable drug
target. However, working with Roger and his team, we believe we have an
opportunity to attack this elusive target from a different angle with the
potential to deliver an exciting new anti-cancer therapeutic", said Dr
Werner Lanthaler, Chief Executive Officer of Evotec.
"Through this collaboration with Evotec, novel biological discoveries and
medical insights made at Ohio State will be effectively translated into a
state-of-the-art drug discovery project. The collaboration is already
demonstrating the benefit of an alliance in accelerating drug discovery
projects", said Dr Tim Wright, Founding Partner and Director Drug
Development Institute OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center James Cancer Hospital
& Solove Research Institute, Vice President, Technology Commercialization
Office.
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, inflammation and infectious
diseases. Evotec has long-term discovery alliances with partners including
Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, CHDI, Genentech, Janssen Pharmaceuticals,
MedImmune/AstraZeneca, Roche and UCB. In addition, the Company has existing
development partnerships and product candidates both in clinical and
pre-clinical development. These include partnerships with Boehringer
Ingelheim and MedImmune 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.
ABOUT THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER - ARTHUR G.
JAMES CANCER HOSPITAL AND RICHARD J. SOLOVE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Ohio State's Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital
and Richard J. Solove Research Institute ("OSUCCC - James") strives to
create a cancer-free world by integrating molecular- and genetic-based
discoveries into patient care, a strategy that leads to better prevention,
detection and treatment of individual cancers. OSUCCC - James is one of
only 41 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers
and one of only four centers funded by the NCI to conduct both phase I and
phase II clinical trials. More than 300 cancer researchers from 12 of Ohio
State's 14 colleges collaborate across research programs and disciplines to
make some of the world's most game-changing discoveries. In December 2014,
The Ohio State University will open the doors of the new James Cancer
Hospital and Solove Research Institute, a transformational facility that
fosters collaboration and integration of cancer research and clinical
cancer care. The new James will help revolutionize cancer prevention and
care by enabling world-class oncologists and researchers to work
side-by-side to solve the mysteries of this disease.
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.
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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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