Morphochem Selects Evotec OAI as a Partner for the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Development of its Dual Action Antibiotic Oxaquin

Hamburg, Germany | Oxford, UK | München, Germany - Evotec OAI AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, TecDAX 30), a leading partner for integrated, high-value-added drug discovery and development solutions, today announced that Morphochem AG has selected Evotec OAI as a preferred partner for the chemical and pharmaceutical development of one of its dual-action antibiotics. Evotec OAI will support Morphochem with the development of its clinical candidate through pre-clinical development and into Phase I trials using its integrated chemical and pharmaceutical development platform, EVOdevelop(TM).
 
Dr Mario Polywka, President, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Development Division at Evotec OAI, said: "Through its evolutionary-based chemistry platform, Morphochem is emerging as one of Europe's premiere biotechnology companies. We are delighted to support the development of Oxaquin through to the clinic, through our own EVOdevelopTM platform, and to build on the strong relationship between the two companies. This partnership further defines the value of offering our partners an integrated package covering all aspects of chemical and pharmaceutical development from pre-clinical through to launch."
 
Dr Lutz Weber, Chief Scientific Officer at Morphochem, said: "Evotec OAI has built up significant expertise and excellence in chemical process research, upscaling, manufacturing of API's and beyond. Through this collaboration with Evotec OAI, Morphochem has now combined its drug discovery and development expertise with a strong partner to ensure the successful development of its pipeline of small molecules into and through clinical development."
 
EVOdevelop(TM)
Evotec OAI, through its integrated platform, EVOdevelop(TM), is ideally positioned to address its partners' needs for chemical and pharmaceutical development resources and expertise in order to allow them to move development candidates time and cost effectively through pre-clinical testing into clinical trials and ultimately to market.
EVOdevelop(TM) integrates leading skills and state-of-the-art laboratory and production facilities in process research and development, custom preparation, scale-up and manufacturing and formulation - all supported by the very best in analytical and regulatory expertise.
With over 10 years of experience Evotec OAI has a proven track record in drug development and, to date, has supported more than 200 partners, in particular biotechnology companies.
 
About Evotec OAI AG
Evotec OAI has established itself as the partner of choice for drug discovery and development solutions for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide, maintaining its leadership role through innovation and unmatched customer service.
The Company's business strategy is clearly focussed on drug discovery. It has established the most comprehensive technology platform and skills that integrate its world-class biology and chemistry capabilities. Evotec OAI leverages this discovery engine in providing assay development and screening through to compound optimisation and drug manufacturing services to a broad and well-established network of customers. In addition, the Company engages in selected discovery programmes itself to develop drug candidates for early out-licensing. Evotec OAI's instrument and technology business is now successfully handled by its affiliate, Evotec Technologies.
With over 600 people in Hamburg, Germany and Oxfordshire, UK, Evotec OAI is dedicated to returning value to its shareholders and employees through a sustainable business strategy that balances short-term and long-term revenue opportunities.
www.evotecoai.com
 
About Morphochem AG
Morphochem was founded in 1998 and currently employs 45 staff in Munich, Germany and Basel, Switzerland. It has developed a unique and highly integrated chemical genomics drug discovery platform that it is applying to the development of a pipeline of drugs for unmet medical needs in major areas of indications such as thrombosis and infectious diseases as well as partnering its technology with others.
Morphochem has raised €84.7 million from a world class syndicate of investors including Techno Venture Management (TVM), Alta Berkeley, Alta California, Life Science Partners, Merlin Biosciences, Nomura International, West LB Panmure, 3i Bioscience Investment Trust, 3i Group, Domain Associates, Mayfield Fund, Viscardi, IKB Venture Capital, Süd VC, KB Lux, Bank Julius Bär, Bionex Investments, and others including federal and state government sources.
www.morphochem.de