Immunology & Inflammation

Evotec has developed substantial expertise in the immunology and inflammation fields and has built through collaborations and partnerships a state-of-the-art integrated drug discovery platform covering all aspects from target identification to investigational new drug (“IND”).

Our experienced immunology & inflammation team with over 30 scientists has an established and proven track record and has contributed to the discovery and development of multiple pre-clinical and clinical candidates in the area of inflammation, autoimmune disorders, pain and endometriosis.

Evotec’s core expertise in small molecule drug discovery in immunology and inflammation is complemented by a growing state-of-the-art know-how in the development of therapeutic antibodies.

Key capabilities of Evotec’s immunology & inflammation discovery platform

Phenotypic screening

• Access complex cellular environments and use of primary cells and tissues
• Assay platform routinely used to support both HTS and H2L/LO programmes for functional read-outs of T-cells, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells or other target cell types
• Integrated into Evotec’s MS-based proteomic platform to aid target identification

In vitro pharmacology

• Portfolio of relevant in vitro models for multiple target classes including ion channels, kinases, transporters, cytokine PPI, GPCRs, enzymes and pattern recognition receptors
• Development and validation of novel customised assays for screening, validation and drug development
• Specialised in CRISPR knock-out of targets in primary human lymphocytes for target identification or validation  
• Comprehensive offering in flow cytometry/FACS ranging from high-throughput to multi-colour phenotypic characterisation
• Human whole blood assay development for supporting human dose predictions

In vivo pharmacology

• Pharmacodynamic assays (PK/PD) including: IL-1b/desArg9 Bradykinin paw oedema, a,b-me-ATP flinching, (R)-a-methylhistamine induced dipsogenia, anti-CD3 T-cell activation/expansion, LPS cytokine release, plus a range of bespoke project-specific animal models
• Portfolio of validated, disease relevant in vivo models in inflammation, neuro-inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory pain, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriasis and anaemia

• Animal models supported by ex vivo and translational read-outs to drive key project decisions in a timely manner, including flow cytometry/FACS
• Evotec’s translational biomarker expertise is applied to demonstrate target modulation in pre-clinical efficacy studies and to support translational biomarker read-outs that are applicable to clinical samples

Additional capabilities such as Evotec’s high-throughput screening, structure-based drug design, medicinal chemistry, bioinformatics research, DMPK, proteomics and biomarker discovery and reagent production platforms can also be accessed to support and accelerate immunology and inflammation programmes.