Corporate | 29 April 2015 07:30
DGAP-News: Evotec AG / Key word(s): Alliance
2015-04-29 / 07:30
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Hamburg, Germany - 29 April 2015: Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT,
TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809) and Facio Therapies ("Facio") announced today
that they have entered into an agreement aimed at the identification of
compounds showing activity as a potential treatment to stop the progression
of FSHD (Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy), a muscle wasting disease. This
agreement marks the start of finding a drug to overcome FSHD.
The project with Facio entails the set-up and execution of an automated
high-throughput screen to identify small molecules having a positive effect
on SMCHD1 and DUX4 activity in human FSHD-affected muscle cell lines. The
compounds that show promising activity in this screen are expected to be
available in the first half of 2016. These compounds will require extensive
further testing to produce compounds that are suitable for the development
of a therapeutic for the treatment of FSHD. All in all, this is a
challenging process that may take several years before clinical testing in
humans can begin.
"The start of our drug discovery programme is a significant step forward in
our pursuit to overcome FSHD", said Facio's Managing Director David
Dasberg. "Evotec is a leader in the field of drug discovery and their
expertise with muscle tissue will allow us to move forward as fast as
possible."
Dr Mario Polywka, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec, commented: "We are
very excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Facio on this
important disease. With our world-leading expertise in tissue analysis and
high-throughput screening we are confident to add real value to the
progression of this programme."
No financial details were disclosed.
ABOUT FSHD
FSHD (Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy) is a muscle wasting disease, worldwide
devastating the lives of over half a million people and those close to
them. The loss of muscle strength has a huge impact on daily life. Living
with FSHD means living with pain, fatigue and social isolation. Above all,
the future becomes uncertain because the course of the disease is
unpredictable. About 20% of people with FSHD end up in a wheelchair.
Currently, no therapy for FSHD is available other than forms of temporary
symptomatic relief.
ABOUT FACIO THERAPIES
Facio Therapies, established in 2014, is a Netherlands-based company with a
single focus - to overcome FSHD by developing a causal therapy that
restores the repression of toxic DUX4. Facio works with leaders in the
field to develop an affordable and accessible causal therapy for as many
people with FSHD and in the most expeditious fashion possible. Being by and
for people with FSHD, the business approach is to have a positive impact on
lives rather than maximize financial gain. Facio's founders - Kees van der
Graaf (Netherlands), Bill Moss (Australia), and Neil Camarta (Canada) - are
business leaders from the FSHD community. For more information on Facio,
please visit www.facio-therapies.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, academics, patient advocacy
groups and venture capitalists. 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.
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.
Contact Evotec AG:
Gabriele Hansen, VP Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, Phone:
+49.(0)40.56081-255, gabriele.hansen@evotec.com
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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: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated
Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover,
Munich, Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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