Hamburg, Germany | Oxford, UK | Tokyo, Japan - Evotec OAI AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, TecDAX 30), a leading partner for integrated high-value-added drug discovery and development solutions to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and Seikagaku Corporation today announced that they have entered into a collaboration to identify small molecule therapeutics for inflammatory diseases.

Evotec OAI will apply its world leading skills in assay development and ultra-high throughput screening (uHTS) to rapidly identify biologically active compounds from its corporate library that interact with selected disease targets of Seikagaku. Active compounds identified in screening will be further characterised and prioritised by Evotec OAI for progression into subsequent lead optimisation programmes.
 
Dr. Mark Ashton, President Drug Discovery Services at Evotec OAI, said: "We are extremely pleased and honoured that Seikagaku, one of the leading companies in the interesting field of glycosciences, has chosen us as their partner in the search of novel drugs. We enjoyed the fruitful and open discussions during the planning of this collaborations. This partnership represents another important milestone in our efforts to further strengthen our position in the Japanese market."
 
"Due to its expertise and wealth of experience in screening a variety of drug targets to highest quality standards we have identified Evotec OAI as our preferred partner in this discipline," commented Mr. Shirow Enoki, President at Seikagaku.
 
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 Seikagaku Corporation
Seikagaku Corporation specializes in glycoscience. It has researched and developed the unique products in this field since its foundation in 1947. The fundamental focus of this relatively new scientific field is the molecular components responsible for signal interaction between cells. Rapid advances in science and medicine over the past two decades have shown that information systems based on glycoconjugates control or influence all life processes.
In 1950, Seikagaku was the first company to manufacture chondroitin sulfate on an industrial scale, and this glycoconjugate is now an essential component of various pharmaceutical products. In 1987, it launched the world first sodium hyaluronate formulation for osteoarthritis in knee and shoulder joints, which it sells under the ARTZ, ARTZAL and SUPARTZ brands throughout the world. www.seikagaku.co.jp/english/index.html