Evotec and Debiopharm Group™ to Collaborate on Development of New Treatment for Cancer

LAUSANNE, Switzerland and HAMBURG, Germany, April 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

• Innovative partnership based on Evotec's Target X projects 
• Evotec and Debiopharm to share discovery and development efforts 

Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809) announced today a research collaboration and licensing deal with Debiopharm Group™, Lausanne, Switzerland. The objective of this collaboration is to identify and develop novel compounds having the potential to treat multiple forms of solid tumors and leukemias with defined genetic alterations. Discovery and pre-clinical development efforts will be driven by Evotec, whilst Debiopharm will manage clinical development. Evotec will receive R&D funding and high double-digit total payments triggered by clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones, plus royalties on sales of resulting commercial products.

This program is based on Evotec's drug discovery efforts to investigate genetically altered targets whose 'driver' role in several cancer types has been validated and on the shared objective of identifying novel therapeutic agents in a variety of cancers, including AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia), prostate cancer and glioblastoma. Evotec is in the unique position of being able to apply a broad range of highly sophisticated drug discovery tools including state-of-the-art mass spectrometry and structure-based drug design for rapid and efficient development of highly promising lead series. Debiopharm is experienced in taking to maturity promising early stage biological or small molecule drug candidates from preclinical to clinical development phase I, II and III, including subsequent out-licensing to pharmaceutical partners for sales and marketing.

Dr Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec, commented: "We are very excited about this innovative collaboration structure between Debiopharm and Evotec. It combines our proven discovery platform with Debiopharm's ability to advance projects through clinical development in a highly efficient manner while sharing risks and rewards of Evotec's TargetX project. There is compelling science around the target and we are confident that we will be able to position highly competitive compounds in this field that hold great potential for difficult to treat cancers."

"This is a fine example of how drug discovery and development will be in the future: a mixture of complementarities looking to bring to a defined population of patients a drug that will change the outcome of disease" added Andrés McAllister, Chief Scientific Officer, Debiopharm International SA."

"Through this collaboration with Evotec, Debiopharm is strengthening its position in early projects with a leader in the drug discovery field" said Thierry Mauvernay, Delegate of the Board of Debiopharm Group ". Furthermore, this R&D program targeting cancers with known genetic alterations is a whole part of our strategy for personalized medicines".

About Debiopharm Group^™ 

Debiopharm Group™ is a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group of four companies active in drug development, GMP manufacturing of proprietary drugs, diagnostics, and investments.

Debiopharm International SA is focused on the development of prescription drugs that target unmet medical needs. The company in-licenses, develops and/or co-develops promising biological and small molecule drug candidates for global registration. The products are commercialized through out-licensing to pharmaceutical partners to give access to the largest number of patients worldwide. For more information about Debiopharm Group™, please visit: http://www.debiopharm.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. 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 and Ono Pharmaceutical. 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 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 http://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. 

Debiopharm International SA Contact
Christelle Tur
Communication Coordinator
[email protected]
Tel.: +41(0)21-321-01-11

Evotec AG Contact
Gabriele Hansen
Head of Corporate Communications
[email protected]
Tel.: +49(0)40-560-81-255
Fax: +49(0)40-560-81-222

Additional Media Contacts
In London
Maitland
Brian Hudspith
[email protected]
Tel.: +44(0)20-7379-5151

In New York
Russo Partners, LLC
Martina Schwarzkopf, Ph.D.
Account Executive
[email protected]
Tel.: +1-212-845-4292

SOURCE Debiopharm Group