HAMBURG, Germany and VIENNA, Austria, Nov. 15, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evotec AG (Frankfurt:EVT) (TecDAX) and Haplogen GmbH have signed a collaboration agreement to discover and develop small molecules against viral infectious diseases.
Under the agreement, Haplogen and Evotec will co-develop drugs against a human protein that is essential for pathogenic viruses to infect their host cell. This protein was discovered by Haplogen's powerful proprietary technology to identify host factors for infectious human pathogens. Evotec will further develop Haplogen's lead compounds and apply its drug discovery platform to find additional small molecule inhibitors.
"This partnership will ensure that our therapeutic program advances with increasing pace to discover molecules for clinical testing in those patients that are at high risk of virus infections", says Georg Casari, CEO of Haplogen. "We are excited that Evotec shares our vision and has joined forces on this first-in-class drug target."
Mario Polywka, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec, explains: "Part of Evotec's strategy is to pursue innovative, early stage projects and develop them to a partnering position before the clinic. We are delighted to partner with Haplogen to optimize their protein inhibitors. Haplogen's powerful target discovery technology is an excellent complement to Evotec´s small molecule discovery and development capabilities. We hope that this is the start of a long-term relationship."
Terms of the partnership were not 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 Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, CHDI, Genentech, Medimmune/Astra Zeneca, and Ono Pharmaceutical. In addition, the Company has existing development partnerships and product candidates both in clinical and preclinical development. These include partnerships with Boehringer Ingelheim, MedImmune and Andromeda (Teva) in the field of diabetes, and with Roche in the field of Alzheimer's disease. For additional information please go to www.evotec.com.
ABOUT Haplogen GmbH
Haplogen GmbH is a privately held biotechnology company with an entirely novel target identification technology based on human haploid genetics and a drug discovery pipeline in infectious diseases. Haplogen's mission is to exploit human haploid genetics to improve human health.
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.