Evotec has entered a technology development partnership with Novo Nordisk to provide next-generation off-the-shelf cell therapy products for clinical development and possible commercialization after that. The companies will also collaborate on the development of advanced technologies in support of their cell therapy collaboration.
 
Both Evotec and Novo Nordisk have significant expertise and a strategic focus to support stem cell-based therapies.
 
Under the collaboration agreement, Novo Nordisk will provide funding for technology development activities at Evotec’s R&D site in Göttingen, Germany and at Evotec’s certified cell therapy manufacturing facility in Modena, Italy. Novo Nordisk has an option to obtain exclusive rights to utilize the results of the collaboration for a pre-defined therapeutic area. Evotec receives R&D funding, an undisclosed upfront and possible milestone and royalty payments.
 
Dr. Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec, said: “Cell therapies have already proven to be highly effective and have the potential to become functional cures in many disease areas. Stem cell-based cell therapy is a promising approach to modulate and scale cell therapies to ultimately provide tailor-made, off-the-shelf cell therapies at reasonable costs. Together with Novo Nordisk, we are confident to be able to generate novel and robust technologies that will help deliver on the promise of stem cell-based therapies.”
 
Dr. Joachim Fruebis, Corporate Vice President, Cell Therapy R&D, at Novo Nordisk, added: “We are excited to join forces with Evotec on our cell therapy initiatives. We hope that this collaboration will enable us to bring cutting-edge, stem cell-based therapies to patients more efficiently. By integrating our strengths, we are setting the stage for significant breakthroughs to more efficiently advance our cell therapies. This partnership holds great promise, and I am confident it will lead to significant advancements in realizing our full potential.”

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