DGAP-News: Evotec AG / Key word(s): Alliance
2016-09-28 / 07:29
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Hamburg, Germany, 28 September 2016:
Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809) today
announced a multi-target collaboration with C4X Discovery Holdings plc
("C4XD"). The new agreement builds on the successful research collaboration
with C4XD announced in January 2015 and will see C4XD and Evotec work
together to develop new small molecule drugs across a range of targets,
therapeutic areas and stages of development, with the initial programmes
targeted towards the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.
The new long-term strategic alliance will be a rolling multi-target
programme with a minimum of three parallel drug discovery projects active
at any point in time. As part of the agreement, Evotec will apply its
extensive assay and screening technologies, laboratory scientists and
medicinal chemistry know-how to selected C4XD programmes, in return for
funding to partially cover operational costs, milestones dependent on
developmental success and a share of potential future royalties.
Each programme will run until the point of Potential Development Candidate
("PDC") nomination, after which C4XD, which retains all IP, will have the
right to out-license successful projects to the pharma industry or proceed
itself to clinical studies on a case-by-case basis, as per its existing
model.
Financial terms have not been disclosed.
Dr Mario Polywka, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec, commented: "We are
very pleased to continue and expand the broad-based drug discovery
collaboration with C4XD. This integrated drug discovery deal showcases our
broad target class expertise coupled with our industry leading platform,
which perfectly complements C4XD's technology and expertise. We look
forward to a fruitful collaboration with our scientific colleagues and
friends at C4XD."
Clive Dix, CEO of C4X Discovery, added: "We are delighted to expand on our
successful relationship with Evotec through this alliance that is designed
to support us in achieving our vision of becoming the world's most
productive drug discovery engine. This new long-term agreement is a step
change from our previous collaboration as now the risk of small molecule
development will be shared as we progress candidates towards the clinic. We
have already identified the first three small molecule targets and the
combination of our unique technologies and the infrastructure and expertise
that Evotec has in place will enable us to accelerate the development of
novel small molecule drug candidates."
ABOUT C4X DISCOVERY
C4X Discovery aims to become the world's most productive drug discovery
engine by exploiting cutting edge technologies to design and create
best-in-class small-molecule candidates targeting a range of high value
therapeutic areas. Since the Company's successful AIM IPO in October 2014,
C4X Discovery has made considerable progress across its in-house pipeline
in addiction, diabetes and inflammation with a number of new drug
candidates identified and further progress made towards the clinic. C4X
Discovery now has five therapeutic projects underway. The Company has two
proprietary and synergistic software platforms, "Taxonomy3(R)" and
"Conformetrix", that provide a significant competitive advantage when
combined with an experienced management team. "Taxonomy3(R)" is a human
genetics analysis platform that utilises a unique mathematical approach to
discovery and validation of drug targets for the treatment of a variety of
diseases. "Conformetrix" determines the 3D shape of drug molecules from
experimental in vitro data giving medicinal chemists new and unprecedented
insights into the behaviour and physical properties of drug molecules. This
enables the rapid design and discovery of better and safer drugs for
diseases with high unmet medical need across broad therapeutic areas. C4X
Discovery's drug discovery engine was further strengthened by the
acquisition of technologies from Molplex Ltd, in 2016, which included a
software-based system which combines chemoinformatics, computational
chemistry and artificial intelligence to optimise the drug discovery
process.
The Company was founded as a spin-out from the University of Manchester and
has a highly experienced management team and Board who have delivered
significant value creation within the healthcare sector historically. For
additional information please go to: www.c4discovery.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 to meet the industry's need for innovation
and efficiency in drug discovery (EVT Execute). 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, diabetes and
complications of diabetes, pain and inflammation, oncology and infectious
diseases. On this basis, Evotec has built a broad and deep pipeline of more
than 70 partnered product opportunities at clinical, pre-clinical and
discovery stages (EVT Innovate). Evotec has established multiple long-term
discovery alliances with partners including Bayer, CHDI, Sanofi or UCB and
development partnerships with e.g. Janssen Pharmaceuticals in the field of
Alzheimer's disease, with Sanofi in the field of diabetes and with Pfizer
in the field of tissue fibrosis. 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 press release. 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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2016-09-28 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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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, Tradegate Exchange
End of News DGAP News Service