Evotec and Bayer Pharma have entered into a five-year, multi-target collaboration to develop three clinical candidates for the treatment of endometriosis. The companies will contribute drug targets and technology platforms and will share responsibility for early research and preclinical characterization of potential candidates. Bayer will be responsible for further development and commercialization. Evotec will receive $15 million upfront and is eligible for clinical and sales milestones totaling $746 million, plus royalties on sales.
 
Dr. Werner Lanthaler, chief executive officer of Evotec, said, “Women with endometriosis may experience excruciating and chronic pain. Because endometriosis affects women in childbearing age, there is an incredible need for new, non-surgical treatments that will preserve fertility and alleviate pain. Evotec brings into this collaboration potential drug candidates and its extensive know-how in the area of chronic pain. We look forward to joining forces with Bayer in what we believe is a very promising and comprehensive effort to tackle this significant issue in women’s health.”
 
“Endometriosis is a disease with insufficient treatment options today for women who suffer from this painful condition. It is one of Bayer’s strategic research indications and our new collaboration with Evotec will perfectly complement our activities in this field of high unmet medical need,” said Prof Andreas Busch, Member of the Bayer HealthCare Executive Committee and Head of Global Drug Discovery. “We look forward to working with Evotec’s team on the development of novel drug candidates.”