Evotec, UCB in Neurological Discovery Pact

Evotec AG has entered into a three-year drug discovery collaboration with UCB to identify small molecule modulators of biological targets selected by UCB, in CNS disorders. Financial details were not disclosed.

Evotec will apply its integrated drug discovery expertise and technologies to identify small molecules against the selected targets to be further optimized through lead optimization to a preclinical candidate. Evotec will receive fixed research funding and early stage discovery, preclinical and clinical milestones as well as royalties on sales of any approved drugs from the collaboration.

Dr. Mario Polywka, Evotec’s chief operating officer, said, “We are extremely pleased that UCB selected Evotec to collaborate on this exciting Drug Discovery Collaboration. This integrated drug discovery deal showcases our CNS disease expertise coupled with our leading platform. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration with UCB.”