Evotec SE and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. established at least five joint drug discovery programs.
The goal is for Evotec to deliver clinical candidates for Takeda to pursue into clinical development.
“Collaborating with world-class drug discovery partners like Evotec is central to our model for discovering and developing transformative medicines,” Global Head of Research at Takeda Steve Hitchcock said in a statement. “Takeda has a long history of working with Evotec and is confident in Evotec’s capabilities.”
The collaboration combines Evotec’s ability to drive fully integrated drug discovery programs with Takeda’s insights into therapeutic approaches in Takeda’s four core therapeutic areas: oncology, gastroenterology, neuroscience and rare diseases, in addition to Takeda’s insight into development and commercialization.
Evotec will leverage its discovery platform to validate therapeutic hypotheses and advance small molecule programs. Takeda will have options to assume responsibility at lead series when Evotec delivers a preclinical candidate.
Takeda will pay Evotec a one-time, upfront fee to access its platforms. Additionally, Evotec is eligible to receive preclinical, clinical and commercial milestones that can total more than $170 million per program as well as tiered royalties on future sales.
