DGAP-News

Evotec enters biology collaboration with Probiodrug

DGAP-News: Evotec AG / Key word(s): Alliance
Evotec enters biology collaboration with Probiodrug

28.11.2012 / 07:29

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Hamburg, Germany - 28 November 2012: Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange:
EVT, TecDAX) announced today that it has entered into a collaboration with
Probiodrug AG, a privately owned biopharmaceutical company focused on the
development of innovative drugs for the treatment of major age related
diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, Evotec will setup and validate assays to
support the pre-clinical and clinical development of glutaminyl cyclase
(QC) inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer´s disease. Glutaminyl
cyclase is a novel proprietary enzyme target discovered and validated by
Probiodrug which plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer´s
disease (AD) as well as potentially other diseases.

Dr Mario Polywka, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec commented: ´We are
pleased to enter this collaboration with Probiodrug to use our first class
assay development capabilities to support the pre-clinical and clinical
development of QC inhibitors in Alzheimer´s disease and other indications.
This is a good example of how Evotec can support Biotech companies with
their specific drug discovery needs.´

Hendrik Liebers, Chief Financial Officer of Probiodrug, added: ´The
collaboration will allow us to focus on the further pre-clinical and
clinical development of our programmes in neurodegeneration/AD. Evotec,
with its proven track record, is ideally suited to accompany this process
by running existing and developing new biological assays.´

ABOUT PROBIODRUG AG
Probiodrug is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and
development of small molecule drugs against novel molecular targets for the
treatment of neuronal and inflammatory diseases. The Company has a dominant
position in the area of glutaminyl cyclase inhibition. Glutaminyl cyclase,
a novel enzyme target discovered and patented by Probiodrug, has a crucial
role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer´s disease (AD) as well as various
peripheral inflammatory diseases.
Probiodrug is backed by institutions such as BB Biotech, Edmond de
Rothschild Investment Partners, Goodvent/IBG, HBM, TVM, Life Sciences
Partners, Biogen Idec Ventures, CFH Group, funds managed by Wellington
Management, and private investors.
Probiodrug´s core capabilities are based on its long-standing expertise in
the elucidation of the structure and function of enzymes which play a
central role in the maturation of hormones. The Company has pioneered the
field of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DP4)-inhibition for the treatment of type