Hamburg, Germany - 23 November 2012: Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, TecDAX) today announced that it has received CIR accreditation for a three-year period from the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

The French R&D tax credit initiative ('Crédit d'Impôt Recherche', CIR) gives eligible research-based French companies, who are subject to corporate tax in France, the ability to claim tax relief on costs generated in R&D activities outsourced to Evotec.

Dr Mario Polywka, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec AG, commented: 'We are delighted to receive this accreditation as it allows our current and future customers in France to benefit from a tax relief of up to 30% of their R&D expenditure committed to Evotec.' 

ABOUT CIR

The Research Tax Credit (CIR) is a central tool of the policy favouring research and innovation. This tax benefit allows the growth of businesses competitiveness by favouring research and development. It is particularly adapted to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprise and constitutes a reliable element of the innovative business financing plan. (www.eureka.lorraine.eu)

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 report. 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.