Evotec’s Seattle-based subsidiary, Just – Evotec Biologics, Inc. received a contract valued up to $18.2 million from the U.S. Department of Defense to develop and manufacture monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for treatment and/or prevention of COVID-19. The goal of this program is to rapidly and efficiently deliver the mAbs to the DOD.

Just – Evotec Biologics will design a highly efficient manufacturing process for the production of cGMP clinical supplies of two monoclonal antibodies directed against SARS-CoV-2 antigens. The mAbs will be tested in early-stage clinical trials and ultimately, used for intervention and/or prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Just – Evotec Biologics will use its experience in process development and clinical manufacturing to enable the rapid realization of these potentially critical protein therapeutic treatments against SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Dr. James Thomas, Executive Vice President Global Head Biotherapeutics at Just – Evotec Biologics commented: “It is an honour to be working with the Department of Defense on this important and time-critical programme. The response to COVID-19 requires the application of rapid, flexible, scalable and robust development and manufacturing technologies. Our company and our platform were designed for the type of rapid response required to develop safe and efficacious products needed for the fight against COVID-19 and future pandemics.”