Evotec AG, Haplogen Partner with Bayer in COPD

Evotec AG and Haplogen GmbH have entered into a multi-year drug discovery and development collaboration with Bayer AG to identify new therapeutics with applications in pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Further financial terms were not disclosed.

The companies began collaborating in 2012 and have since built a portfolio of pulmonary therapeutic programs based on the drug discovery platforms and know-how of both companies. The target-based approach will now be broadened under the terms of a new Haplogen collaboration with Bayer.

Bayer receives an exclusive license to worldwide rights to programs developed within the collaboration and Evotec will receive undisclosed upfront as well as potential milestone and royalty-based payments from Haplogen.

COPD is a common respiratory disease that causes breathlessness and predisposes to exacerbations and serious illness. One possible treatment approach for COPD exacerbations is to disrupt the multiplication of the responsible virus by inhibiting its replication. The goal of the research alliance is to develop new antiviral compounds addressing the high unmet medical need in reducing COPD exacerbations.

Dr. Werner Lanthaler, chief executive officer of Evotec, said, “Our alliance with Haplogen has proven that both companies and teams are united by the same spirit and objectives under a very efficient “virtual” performance-based biotech business model. With the addition of Bayer’s excellent expertise, we have high aspirations for this partnership and look forward to bringing new and better treatments to patients living with pulmonary diseases.”

Dr. Georg Casari, chief executive officer of Haplogen, said, “This partnership with Bayer will transform our discoveries to therapies with benefit to patients in need. At Haplogen we are proud to see our work in research and development validated and approved by Bayer’s commitment to this partnership. It has been the outcome of an excellent and professional collaboration with our partner Evotec.”