Martinsried, Hamburg, Germany / Abingdon, UK - Evotec OAI AG, Hamburg, Germany (Neuer Markt: EVT), a supplier of integrated high-value added drug discovery services, and VitaResc Biotech AG, Martinsried, Germany, announced today the extension of their collaboration for the development of VitaResc's anti-thrombotic drug VTR-TI. Under the terms of the agreement signed in summer 2000, VitaResc and Evotec OAI successfully developed a protocol for high yield synthesis of VTR-TI. Now, VitaResc and Evotec OAI will extend this co-operation to scale-up production of VTR-TI.
"We are delighted to continue our partnership with VitaResc, an important customer of Evotec OAI. We have shown, once again, the value we bring to our partner's programme through offering the whole range of integrated chemical development services, from process research, to scale-up and supply of material for clinical trials," said Dr. Mario Polywka, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec OAI AG.
"VitaResc is very satisfied with the progress of this important development programme. In our long-standing relationship, Evotec OAI has always proven to add significant value to our projects. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Company in future," said Zoard Richter, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of VitaResc.
"This is an important step in the development of VTR-TI", said Dr. Werner Stüber, Vice President R&D and Business Development of VitaResc. "VTR-TI is a highly selective and effective synthetic thrombin inhibitor. In contrast to heparins, the standard therapy against thrombosis, VTR-TI is expected to be safer and more effective. Additionally, VTR-TI has low production costs."
In July 2000, VitaResc licensed VTR-TI originally developed by Hoechst/ Behringwerke, Frankfurt, Germany. VitaResc acquired a world-wide, exclusive license to develop, use and sell the compound. The primary indication of VTR-TI is acute treatment and prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis after hip and knee surgery, a complication affecting many patients. Another distinct application of VTR-TI is its use as a coating agent for biopolymers to prevent formation of clots on their surfaces.
About Evotec OAI
Evotec OAI AG offers the full range of high-value added products and services required to discover and develop drugs more effectively and efficiently. By integrating accelerated methods in biology, chemistry and screening, the Company has established a unique position as a one-stop-shop for all the critical elements in the drug discovery research and development process from target to clinical development. Approximately 540 people are based in Hamburg, Germany and Abingdon, U.K. Evotec OAI already has close links with many of the leading companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries including Novartis, Pfizer,
GlaxoSmithKline, Aventis, Pharmacia/Sugen, Eli Lilly, Bayer, BMS, Roche, Amgen, Biogen, Vertex, Serono and Immunex. The Company's shares are listed on the Neuer Markt of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
About VitaResc
VitaResc Biotech AG is a development-stage biotechnology company founded in March 1999 and located in Munich-Martinsried, Germany and Durham, North Carolina, USA. VitaResc is engaged in the research and development of pharmaceuticals for critical care conditions and chronic inflammatory diseases. The Company's product portfolio consists of three well-defined and patent protected drug candidates modulating powerful biological messenger molecules in the clinical areas of systemic inflammation, infection and cardiovascular disease.
Contact:
VitaResc Biotech AG
Dr. Werner Stüber
Vice President
R&D and Business Development
Phone:+49-89-8565 2850
Fax: +49-89-8565 2852
w.stueber@vitaresc.com
Evotec OAI AG
Dr. Dirk Ehlers
CFO
Phone: +49-40-560 81-241
Fax: +49-40-560 81-333
dirk.ehlers@evotecoai.com
Evotec OAI and VitaResc Biotech Extend Collaboration in Anti-Thrombotic Drug Development
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