HAMBURG, Germany, June 6, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evotec AG (Frankfurt:EVT) (TecDAX) today announced that it has entered into a medicinal chemistry collaboration with Active Biotech AB (Stockholm:ACTI), following the successful conclusion of a High Throughput Screening campaign to identify small molecule modulators of a priority biological target, selected by Active Biotech, involved in immune disorders and cancer.
Based on excellent progress made using its state-of-the-art Screening Platform in 2010, Evotec will now apply its integrated medicinal chemistry platform to optimise initial screening hits with the aim of progressing into a lead optimisation programme.
Dr Mario Polywka, Chief Operating Officer at Evotec stated: "We are delighted that our screening collaboration with Active Biotech has identified quality hits that we can now progress into a lead identification programme. This collaboration is a validation of our hit finding platform and also the confidence Active Biotech have in Evotec to support the further progress of this project. We look forward to working with the team at Active Biotech in their quest to find novel treatments to address immune disorders and cancer."
Dorthe da Graca Thrige, Director of Development of Active Biotech, commented: Active Biotech strives to develop, efficiently and cost-effectively, new remedies for illnesses where today's treatment options are inadequate, especially in the area of cancer and autoimmune diseases. It is key for us to collaborate with first class companies and we have been very impressed with Evotec's hit identification activities on this important target and now look forward to progressing the hits through hit to lead."
No financial details are disclosed.
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 Boehringer Ingelheim, CHDI, Genentech, Medimmune/Astra Zeneca, Novartis and Ono Pharmaceutical. In addition, the Company has existing development partnerships and product candidates both in clinical and preclinical development. For additional information please go to www.evotec.com
ABOUT ACTIVE BIOTECH AB
Active Biotech AB (Stockholm:ACTI), is a biotechnology company with focus on autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and cancer. Projects in pivotal phase are laquinimod, an orally administered small molecule with unique immunomodulatory properties for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, TASQ for prostate cancer and ANYARA for use in cancer targeted therapy, primarily of renal cell cancer. In addition, laquinimod is in Phase II development for Crohn's and Lupus. Further projects in clinical development comprise the two orally administered compounds, 57- 57 for SLE and Systemic Sclerosis as well as RhuDexTM for RA. Please visit http://www.activebiotech.com/">www.activebiotech.com for more information.
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.