Hamburg, Germany, 20 October 2016: Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809) today announced a collaboration with UCB to provide a broad range of in vitro pharmacology services. Under the terms of the three-year agreement, Evotec will support UCB's in vitro pharmacology team in drug discovery projects across multiple target classes, particularly in the CNS space. Key activities will include assay development, compound profiling and mechanistic studies and will provide UCB with access to key Evotec expertise in the field of in vitro pharmacology and electrophysiology. 

Dr Mario Polywka, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec, commented: "Through this significant collaboration focusing on CNS pharmacology, we continue to strengthen our relationship with UCB, a strategic partner of Evotec. With both teams already working closely together, we look forward to adding value to UCB's drug discovery programmes." 

Dr Neil Weir, Senior Vice President of Discovery at UCB, added: "Evotec has demonstrated its scientific excellence and as such is a key partner supporting our drug discovery efforts. We welcome the addition of CNS pharmacology, where Evotec has specific expertise, to the range of activities we collaborate on." 

No financial details were disclosed.

ABOUT UCB 

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of small molecules and antibody based therapies for the treatment of severe immune-mediated diseases and central nervous system disorders. UCB has over 7,700 employees worldwide with research and early development scientists based in Belgium (Central Nervous System) and UK (immunology) supporting an innovative pipeline of novel therapeutics. UCB's core products are treating patients with epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis and Parkinson's disease. UCB recognises that the identification of new and innovative protein targets remains a core challenge for the pharmaceutical industry. UCB therefore continues to invest internally, externally and through collaboration to ensure that we identify novel targets and mechanisms to tackle serious diseases. For more information please visit: www.ucb.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.