Evotec Advances Neuroscience Collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb

Evotec SE, a prominent name in the life sciences sector, has achieved a significant milestone in its neuroscience collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb, resulting in a notable research payment of $20 million. This collaboration, which began in December 2016, aims to develop disease-modifying treatments for various neurodegenerative diseases, addressing a significant gap in current therapeutic options which mostly focus on managing symptoms rather than halting disease progression.

A key development in this partnership is the advancement of a target-based program into late pre-clinical development, contributing to an expanding pipeline of innovative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. This progress underscores the successful efforts of the Evotec and Bristol Myers Squibb collaboration, which continues to foster promising discovery to clinical-stage programs in the field of neurodegeneration.

One of the notable achievements from this partnership is the program EVT8683, which Bristol Myers Squibb in-licensed in September 2021 under the name BMS-986419. Following a successful Phase I clinical trial, Bristol Myers Squibb has scheduled a Phase II study for BMS-986419 to begin in 2024. The collaboration's success led to an extension and expansion of their partnership in March 2023 for an additional eight years, highlighting the long-term commitment of both companies to developing groundbreaking neurological treatments.

Dr. Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec, expressed enthusiasm about the advancement of another high-potential program into late pre-clinical development. He emphasized the productivity of the neuroscience partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb and their mutual dedication to innovation and patient care. Dr. Dohrmann noted that the growing portfolio of programs nearing critical development stages brings them closer to introducing new therapeutic options for patients suffering from severe neurological disorders.

Evotec SE, renowned for its unique business model in the life sciences industry, focuses on discovering and developing highly effective therapeutics. The company's multimodality platform integrates advanced technologies, data, and science to create first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products. Evotec collaborates with all top 20 pharmaceutical companies, over 800 biotechnology firms, academic institutions, and various healthcare stakeholders, providing high-value pipeline co-creating partnerships and solutions.

Evotec's strategic initiatives span several underrepresented therapeutic areas such as neurology, oncology, metabolic, and infectious diseases. The company's goal is to build a world-leading co-owned pipeline for innovative therapeutics, with a current portfolio comprising over 200 proprietary and co-owned research and development projects ranging from early discovery to clinical development. Operating globally, Evotec employs more than 5,000 highly skilled professionals across its locations in Europe and the USA, utilizing synergistic technologies and services that function as complementary centers of excellence.

This latest achievement in their partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb marks a significant step forward in addressing unmet medical needs in neurodegenerative diseases, showcasing Evotec's commitment to advancing scientific research and improving patient outcomes worldwide.