Evotec SE and Variant Bio Collaborate for Diseases Caused by Fibrosis

Evotec SE and Variant Bio, Inc. announced a collaboration agreement to identify a best-in-class treatment for diseases caused by fibrosis.

Overview

Fibrosis is characterised by marked and pathogenic build-up of the tissue matrix, leading to tissue degeneration in organs, including the liver and lungs. Fibrotic disease contributes substantially to global mortality and morbidity. Despite the chronic nature of fibrotic conditions, widespread impact on various organs, and substantial disease burden, there is currently no curative treatment for these conditions.

Role Post Partnership

• The strategic partnership leverages Variant Bio’s cutting-edge genomic discovery capabilities and VB-Inference platform as well as Evotec’s extensive expertise in antifibrotic drug discovery. 
• Evotec will identify best-in-class small molecules targeting a key fibrotic pathway with strong genetic support identified by Variant Bio and progress the programme towards the selection of a clinical development candidate(s) using Evotec’s integrated end-to-end R&D platform. 
• Additionally, the collaboration includes an opportunity to evaluate unrelated nephrology targets based on human multi-omics data with Evotec’s molecular patient database (“E.MPD”).

Terms of Partnership

• Under the terms of the risk-sharing partnership, Evotec will receive undisclosed research funding and may receive pre-clinical and clinical milestones and/or royalties dependent on the success of the programme. 
• This strategic framework allows Variant Bio to offset the early costs of drug development in exchange for a portion of the future upside.

Words from CBO: Evotec

• Dr Matthias Evers, chief business officer of Evotec, said: “We are excited to enter this collaboration with Variant Bio. Variant’s genomics-focused model which identifies novel drug targets perfectly aligns with Evotec’s data-driven approach to redefine diseases at the molecular level and enhance probability of success. We look forward to combining our complementary drug discovery platforms in a capital efficient partnership and drive new, best-in-class fibrosis treatments together.”

Words from CBO: Variant Bio

Andrew Farnum, CEO at Variant Bio, said: “Evotec has established and validated in vitro and in vivo models to accelerate programme timelines and is ideally positioned to advance our fibrosis programme. They have the experience and track record in converting breakthrough science into medicines that matter for patients.”

Words from CSO: Variant Bio

Dr David Moller, CSO at Variant Bio, added: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Evotec given their deep expertise in disease biology and their outstanding drug discovery capabilities that complement Variant Bio’s R&D team. These factors will play a critical role in the success of our pre-clinical and development goals.”

Variant Bio

• Variant Bio is developing life-saving therapies by studying the genes of people with exceptional health-related traits. 
• By identifying communities with unique genetic architectures and outlier phenotypes, Variant Bio has identified novel human genetic evidence that is the basis for programs with breakthrough potential across multiple therapeutic areas.

Evotec 

Evotec is a life science company with a unique business model that delivers on its mission to discover and develop highly effective therapeutics and make them available to the patients.

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