• STORM’S FIRST-IN-CLASS CLINICAL CANDIDATE AGAINST AN RNA METHYLTRANSFERASE FOR USE IN CANCER WAS IDENTIFIED WITH SUPPORT FROM EVOTEC’S DRUG DISCOVERY ENGINE
• STORM WILL PROGRESS THE COMPOUND TOWARDS THE CLINIC USING INDIGO, EVOTEC’S INTEGRATED IND-ENABLING PLATFORM

Hamburg, Germany, 17 November 2020:
Evotec SE (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, MDAX/TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809) announced today that, as part of its ongoing collaboration with STORM Therapeutics (“STORM”), the leading biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule therapies modulating RNA epigenetics, STORM has selected STC-15 as a first-in-class development candidate. STORM will now use INDiGO, Evotec’s unique integrated, accelerated IND-enabling platform, to progress STC-15 towards an IND application in 2021.

STORM discovered STC-15, an orally bioavailable, small molecule inhibitor of the enzyme METTL3 targeting modulation of RNA epigenetics, an entirely new mechanism of action, to treat acute myeloid leukaemia (“AML”) and other solid and haematological cancers with the support from Evotec’s pre-clinical drug discovery engine.

STORM leads the global field of RNA modulation having demonstrated in vivo proof of concept activity of the first RNA methyltransferase inhibitor in relevant animal models for myeloid and solid tumours. METTL3 is one of two programmes from the STORM platform that have already shown in vivo activity.

Dr Craig Johnstone, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec, commented: “The relationship with STORM goes from strength to strength and is a great example of Evotec’s ability to support the exploration of novel and exciting biology to maximise innovation, but also execute efficiently with rapid and seamless integration from target through to IND.”

Dr Keith Blundy, Chief Executive Officer of STORM Therapeutics, added: “STC 15 was identified with support from Evotec and is a highly potent and selective METTL3 inhibitor that is effective in leukaemia cells refractory to chemotherapy treatment. This patient population will be incorporated into the initial clinical trials aiming to accelerate clinical proof of concept for patients with limited other options in addition to exploring combinations with standard of care. STORM’s vision is to become the world’s first company to deliver a disease-modifying agent that works by targeting RNA-modulating enzymes. Evotec has enabled us to rapidly and successfully progress our work resulting in a first-in-class development candidate, with more to follow.”

About RNA, RNA epigenetics and STC-15

There is a growing understanding of the importance of RNA modifications in the development of cancer and other diseases, providing a wealth of novel therapeutic targets for drug discovery. STORM has used state-of-the-art drug discovery capabilities, combined with unique analytical technologies specifically developed to target RNA epigenetics, to generate highly potent selective and orally bioavailable, small molecule inhibitors of METTL3 and other RNA-modifying enzymes.

ABOUT STORM THERAPEUTICS

STORM Therapeutics, founded in 2015, is a University of Cambridge spin-out translating the ground-breaking work of Professors Tony Kouzarides and Eric Miska in RNA epigenetics into the discovery of first-in-class drugs in oncology and other diseases. STORM is the leading company tackling disease through modulating RNA modifying enzymes and is developing a unique platform and pipeline to address these enzyme classes, including RNA methyltransferases.

STORM is backed by blue chip investors Cambridge Innovation Capital, M Ventures, Pfizer Ventures, Taiho Ventures LLC, Seroba Life Sciences and IP Group, who share the team’s ambitions to build a world-leading company in the field. For further information about STORM Therapeutics please go to www.stormtherapeutics.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

Information set forth in this press release contains forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the judgement of Evotec as of the date of this press release. Such forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.