HAMBURG, Germany, Oct. 28, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evotec AG (Frankfurt:EVT) (TecDAX) (ISIN: DE0005664809) today announced that it has achieved first milestones in its multi-year, multi-target integrated drug discovery collaboration with UCB in the field of immunology.
The milestones were achieved upon the progression of certain projects into hit-to-lead and into lead optimisation.
Evotec and UCB entered into this collaboration in October 2011. Under the terms of the collaboration, Evotec receives research payments, milestones based on achieving various pre-clinical, clinical and sales goals and royalties on final product sales.
Dr Mario Polywka, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec, stated: "We are delighted that the project teams at UCB and Evotec have met these important milestones in the collaboration. The progress in this collaboration is a testament to the way scientists from both companies have worked together in a true partnership."
Dr Neil Weir, Senior Vice President of Discovery at UCB, commented that "The collaboration with Evotec complements our internal research efforts and enhances our scientific network. Hitting these milestones is great news and as we continue to work together, we hope that the results will enhance the pace of the discovery process, the quality of compounds selected for further development and ultimately improve patient outcomes."
No financial details were 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, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, MedImmune/AstraZeneca, Ono Pharmaceutical 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, MedImmune and Andromeda (Teva) 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.
ABOUT UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With more than 9000 people in about 40 countries, the company generated revenue of EUR 3.4 billion in 2012. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol:UCB).
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.