Evotec AG has closed its strategic licensing transaction to integrate Sanofi’s infectious disease unit and research portfolio, resulting in a €60 million upfront cash payment and a financial commitment from Sanofi for five years.

Evotec will accelerate the infectious disease research pipeline development and initiate new open innovation R&D initiatives in anti-infectives. Going forward, Evotec will also engage in collaborations with other pharma and biopharma companies, academia and government agencies to further accelerate research and development into new products in infectious diseases. The initial focus areas will be on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and superbug infections, TB and Malaria, as well as the creation of novel antiviral therapies with new mechanisms of action.