Corporate | 24 July 2015 07:30
DGAP-News: Evotec AG / Key word(s): Alliance
2015-07-24 / 07:30
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San Francisco, USA; Hamburg, Germany - 24 July 2015: Evotec AG (Frankfurt
Stock Exchange: EVT, TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809) today announced that it
has become part of a research initiative between a newly established
for-profit company of the Gladstone Institutes called Cure Network
Ventures, Inc. and Dolby Family Ventures. This initiative bridges the gap
between basic science and advanced drug discovery by combining highly
innovative research programs with state-of-the-art drug discovery
capabilities and a private funding source committed to identifying new
therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease ("AD"). This unique
collaboration initially leverages Evotec's EVT Execute platform with
defined options for transition into EVT Innovate programs.
Initially, the initiative will focus on two unique programs that aim to
block key mechanisms suspected of promoting abnormal neuronal network
activity and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease, a disease which is
affecting approximately 36 million people worldwide and which cannot be
cured at the moment. One program will focus on the protein tau that
accumulates in brain cells of patients with Alzheimer's disease and in
other neurodegenerative disorders. The other will focus on an important ion
channel that may be involved in the generation of detrimental brain rhythms
in Alzheimer's disease and neuropsychiatric conditions.
"This entrepreneurial translational model utilizes the particular strengths
of the three partners and promotes their interactions, allowing for maximum
leverage of all resources", says Gladstone's Vice President of Corporate
Liaison and Ventures, Stephen Freedman, PhD.
Dr Werner Lanthaler, Chief Executive Officer of Evotec, added: "We are
excited to be part of this research initiative that combines the
best-in-class ingredients of what is needed for novel and innovative drug
candidates in AD. Translating academic innovation into tangible assets for
the Pharma industry in an entrepreneurial framework is core to our
strategy."
David Dolby, Managing Director, Dolby Family Ventures, adjoined: "We
recognize the importance of generating more productive links between
academia and industry. Gladstone conducts trailblazing and rigorous
research to discover new therapies for Alzheimer's disease. We are honored
to team up with Gladstone and Evotec to work on finding a cure."
No financial details were disclosed.
ABOUT THE GLADSTONE INSTITUTES
To ensure our work does the greatest good, the Gladstone Institutes focuses
on conditions with profound medical, economic, and social impact-unsolved
diseases of the brain, the heart, and the immune system. Affiliated with
the University of California, San Francisco, Gladstone is an independent,
nonprofit life science research organization that uses visionary science
and technology to overcome disease. Cure Network Ventures, Inc. is a
for-profit company created and owned by the Gladstone Institutes. Its
business structure is designed to attract partners and investors interested
in enhancing the full potential of novel disease targets and mechanisms
discovered through the basic and translational research conducted at the
Gladstone Institutes.
ABOUT DOLBY FAMILY VENTURES
Dolby Family Ventures is an early stage venture firm. The fund honors the
legacy of Ray Dolby and his commitment to engineers and their vision to
solve the world's toughest problems. The fund invests in technologies and
tools to accelerate basic research, pharmaceutical development, clinical
trials and specific treatments to Alzheimer's disease. Dolby Family
Ventures is jointly managed by David Dolby, son of Ray Dolby, and veteran
venture capitalist Pascal Levensohn.
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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