Evotec and Variant Bio enter strategic partnership to discover and develop
fibrosis treatments

EQS-News: Evotec SE / Key word(s): Miscellaneous
Evotec and Variant Bio enter strategic partnership to discover and develop
fibrosis treatments

18.04.2024 / 13:27 CET/CEST
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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  * COLLABORATION LEVERAGES VARIANT BIO'S CUTTING-EDGE GENOMIC DISCOVERY
    PLATFORM AND EVOTEC'S INTEGRATED END-TO-END R&D PLATFORM AND DISEASE
    AREA EXPERTISE TO ADDRESS UNMET MEDICAL NEED IN FIBROTIC INDICATIONS

  * COMMERCIAL TERMS INCLUDE RESEARCH FUNDING AND MILESTONES AND/OR ROYALTY
    PAYMENTS TO EVOTEC BASED ON THE OVERALL SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAMME

Hamburg, Germany and Seattle, USA, 18 April 2024:
Evotec SE (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, MDAX/TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809;
NASDAQ: EVO) and Variant Bio, Inc. today announced a collaboration agreement
to identify a best-in-class treatment for diseases caused by fibrosis.

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.

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").

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.

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."

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."

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."


ABOUT 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. The company's
research is powered by its proprietary VB-Inference platform, which
integrates deep phenotyping and multi-omics data using statistical genetics
and AI/ML approaches to identify and validate therapeutic targets. With
ethics at its core, the company launched an unprecedented benefit-sharing
program in 2020, in which it has pledged tangible benefits that directly
impact the communities it partners with throughout the world. Variant Bio is
now poised to advance multiple potentially life-changing therapeutic
programs toward the clinic, and to create concomitant value for partner
communities who have entrusted the company with their genetic data. Follow
Variant Bio's news and updates at www.variantbio.com and via its blog, on
X/Twitter @VariantBio, on Instagram @variant_bio, and on LinkedIn.

Variant Bio Contacts
Sarah LeBaron von Baeyer, Director of Ethics and Engagement
sarah@variantbio.com, www.variantbio.com

ABOUT EVOTEC SE
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. The Company's multimodality platform
comprises a unique combination of innovative technologies, data and science
for the discovery, development, and production of first-in-class and
best-in-class pharmaceutical products. Evotec leverages this "Data-driven
R&D Autobahn to Cures" for proprietary projects and within a network of
partners including all Top 20 Pharma and over 800 biotechnology companies,
academic institutions, as well as other healthcare stakeholders. Evotec has
strategic activities in a broad range of currently underserved therapeutic
areas, including e.g. neurology, oncology, as well as metabolic and
infectious diseases. Within these areas of expertise, Evotec aims to create
the world-leading co-owned pipeline for innovative therapeutics and has
to-date established a portfolio of more than 200 proprietary and co-owned
R&D projects from early discovery to clinical development. Evotec operates
globally with more than 5,000 highly qualified people. The Company's 17
sites offer highly synergistic technologies and services and operate as
complementary clusters of excellence. For additional information please go
to www.evotec.com and follow us on X/Twitter @Evotec and LinkedIn.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This announcement contains forward-looking statements concerning future
events, including the proposed offering and listing of Evotec's securities.
Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect,"
"intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "should," "target," "would"
and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include comments
regarding Evotec's expectations for revenues, Group EBITDA and unpartnered
R&D expenses. These forward-looking statements are based on the information
available to, and the expectations and assumptions deemed reasonable by
Evotec at the time these statements were made. No assurance can be given
that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements
involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions
and estimates, which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and
contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of Evotec. Evotec
expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any
updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to
reflect any change in Evotec's expectations with respect thereto or any
change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is
based.

Media Contact Evotec SE:
Gabriele Hansen, SVP Head of Global Corporate Communications,
Gabriele.Hansen@evotec.com
Hinnerk Rohwedder, Director of Global Corporate Communications,
Hinnerk.Rohwedder@evotec.com

IR Contact Evotec SE:
Volker Braun, EVP Head of Global Investor Relations & ESG,
Volker.Braun@evotec.com


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   Language:       English
   Company:        Evotec SE
                   Manfred Eigen Campus / Essener Bogen 7
                   22419 Hamburg
                   Germany
   Phone:          +49 (0)40 560 81-0
   Fax:            +49 (0)40 560 81-222
   E-mail:         info@evotec.com
   Internet:       www.evotec.com
   ISIN:           DE0005664809
   WKN:            566480
   Indices:        MDAX, TecDAX
   Listed:         Regulated Market in Berlin, Frankfurt (Prime Standard);
                   Regulated Unofficial Market in Dusseldorf, Hamburg,
                   Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange; Nasdaq
   EQS News ID:    1882961

End of News EQS News Service
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1882961 18.04.2024 CET/CEST