Evotec To Collaborate With Takeda Cambridge For Multi-Target Hit Identification

HAMBURG, Germany, Jan. 20, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evotec AG (Frankfurt:EVT) today announced that it has entered into a collaboration with Takeda Cambridge Limited, to identify small molecule modulators against GPCR and Protease targets involved in various CNS and Metabolic diseases.

Evotec will apply its state-of-the-art Screening Platform and proprietary GPCR modeling software to identify and validate novel modulators against various targets selected by Takeda Cambridge.

Dr Mario Polywka, Chief Operating Officer at Evotec stated: "We are proud to be selected by Takeda Cambridge to collaborate on this important project. We have invested significantly in our world leading, hit-identification platform and this alliance further validates the strength of this platform and Evotec's ability to bring value to its partner's drug discovery efforts. We look forward to working with Takeda Cambridge."

Dr Andrew Ayscough, Director of Chemistry at Takeda Cambridge, commented: "We are pleased to have this opportunity to work with Evotec making use of their hit identification platform."

No financial details are disclosed.

ABOUT EVOTEC AG

Evotec is a leader in the discovery and development of novel small molecule drugs with operational sites in Europe and Asia. The Company has built substantial drug discovery expertise and an industrialised platform that can drive new innovative small molecule compounds into the clinic. In addition, Evotec has built a deep internal knowledge base in the treatment of diseases related to neuroscience, pain, oncology, inflammation and metabolic diseases. Leveraging these skills and expertise the Company intends to develop best-in-class differentiated therapeutics and deliver superior science-driven discovery alliances with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Evotec has long-term discovery alliances with partners including Boehringer Ingelheim, CHDI, Genentech, Novartis, Ono Pharmaceutical and Roche. Evotec has product candidates in clinical development and a series of preclinical compounds and development partnerships, including for example a strategic alliance with Roche for the EVT 100 compound family, subtype selective NMDA receptor antagonists for use in treatment-resistant depression and an alliance in the field of diabetes with Andromeda (Teva). For additional information please go to www.evotec.com.

ABOUT TAKEDA CAMBRIDGE LTD

Takeda Cambridge Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited in Osaka, Japan, and a drug discovery company specialising in identifying and validating novel drug targets and compounds. Takeda Cambridge and its subsidiary Takeda Singapore Pte Ltd have developed a promising pipeline in key areas of unmet medical need such as CNS disorders and metabolic-related diseases. As the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan and one of the global leaders of the industry, Takeda is committed to strive towards better health for patients worldwide through leading innovation in medicine.

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