Evotec and TESARO Enter Strategic Partnership to Discover Novel Immuno-Oncology Agents

HAMBURG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809) and Tesaro today announced a three-year integrated drug discovery collaboration to discover and develop novel small molecule product candidates against an undisclosed immuno-oncology (IO) target.

Under the terms of the collaboration, Evotec will apply its integrated drug discovery platform, from lead discovery through nomination of a pre-clinical development candidate, to TESARO’s translational research pipeline to advance best-in-class oncology therapies. In particular, Evotec will leverage its industry leading structural biology platform to identify novel start points to progress into a full-blown drug discovery programme.

“TESARO is excited to work with Evotec to expand our discovery capabilities against immuno-oncology targets”, said Jeffrey Hanke, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Research and Development, and Chief Scientific Officer of TESARO. “Evotec has a proven track record of enhancing its partners’ drug discovery efforts in oncology. We look forward to working with Evotec to accelerate the identification of new therapies to help patients facing cancer.”

Dr Mario Polywka, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec, commented: “Oncology is one of Evotec’s core therapeutic areas of focus and we are pleased to enter into this exciting and innovative partnership with TESARO, a globally recognised oncology leader and one of the fastest growing biotech companies in the USA. This collaboration further demonstrates the value of our integrated research site in Toulouse and our world-leading structural biology group in Oxford. Using our integrated drug discovery platform, we are committed to helping TESARO drive innovation in this very important field of high-unmet medical need.”

No financial details of the collaboration 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, 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 80 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. with Sanofi in the field of diabetes, with Pfizer in the field of tissue fibrosis and Celgene in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. For additional information please go to www.evotec.com and follow us on Twitter @EvotecAG.

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.

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