Evotec, Apeiron in Cancer Research Pact

Evotec AG and Apeiron Biologics have entered into a research collaboration to develop immunomodulatory lead compounds for the treatment of cancer. Apeiron Biologics will contribute in vitro and in vivo pharmacology and Evotec will be responsible for medicinal chemistry and chemical proteomics. The collaboration is based on a phenotypic high throughput screen previously commissioned by Apeiron Biologics. Financial details were not disclosed.
 
Dr. Mario Polywka, chief operating officer of Evotec, said, “We look forward to continue working with Apeiron on this important project. The collaboration highlights the strength of Evotec’s phenotypic screening capabilities to identify novel mechanisms and hits in important therapeutic areas.”
 
Dr. Hans Loibner, chief executive officer of Apeiron Biologics, said, “We were excited about the outcome of the primary screen and look forward to refining the hit compounds in this collaboration applying our immunological know-how. There is no doubt that immunomodulatory compounds like these carry huge therapeutic and commercial potential.