Evotec AG is extending its existing relationship with Eternygen GmbH by becoming an investor in addition to being a pre-clinical drug discovery partner.

Eternygen, a privately owned metabolic diseases company based in Berlin, Germany, is focused on the sodium coupled citrate transporter (NaCT), a novel target which is also known as INDY (I am Not Dead Yet). INDY is a key regulator of energy metabolism that may be involved in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), diabetes and obesity. Eternygen will use the proceeds of the Series A funding to accelerate its small molecule NaCT inhibitors towards the selection of a pre-clinical lead candidate. Eternygen will rely on Evotec's drug discovery platform and metabolic disease expertise to conduct all work to the selection of pre-clinical development candidate and possibly beyond.

"We are very excited to take part in the growth and ownership of a company which together with Evotec has assembled world-leading expertise and tools around a very promising mechanism in metabolic diseases,” said Cord Dohrmann, chief scientific officer, Evotec. “Combining academic excellence with a highly focused management team and a proven platform is a highly effective model for Evotec to bring forward projects with first-in-class potential. Eternygen perfectly fits into this mold."

Marco Janezic, chief executive officer, Eternygen GmbH, said, "The successful completion of our series A round with a syndicate of renowned investors is great recognition for the achievements at Eternygen. Epidarex and Evotec have significant expertise turning novel targets into successful drug development projects and to commercialise such programmes. We are convinced that the world-class metabolic drug development expertise these investors bring to the table will greatly accelerate and enhance our company."