Biotech Partnerships

The objective and rational for this long-term partnership for development and commercialization of beta cell replacement therapy based on synergistic technologies:

• High quality human iPSC-based beta cells in islet-like cell clusters (ILCs) produced in a scalable bioreactor system at Evotec
• Sernova’s proprietary Cell Pouch^TM, a clinically proven implantable medical device, which provides a natural environment for therapeutic cell implantation

• Joint funding of preclinical program up to IND acceptance
• Option for Sernova to exercise exclusive global license upon IND stage
• Evotec to contribute cell manufacturing from clinical stage through commercialization
• Evotec committed to strategic € 20m equity investment in Sernova

The combination of Evotec’s ILCs with a suitable sized version of Sernova’s implantable Cell Pouch^TM device has yielded successful results in initial preclinical studies, as presented at the 4th IPITA/HSCI/JDRF Summit in April 2023. Please see press releases below for more details.

Under a multi-year partnership with Alpine Immune Sciences, Just - Evotec Biologics will apply the fully integrated technology platform for the development and commercial process of ALPN-303, a dual BAFF / APRIL inhibitor for systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The contract is a continuation of the first-in-human program initiated in 2020 where Just – Evotec Biologics utilized the J.DESIGN continuous manufacturing platform to deliver drug substance materials.

Under the expanded contract, Just - Evotec Biologics will:

• Leverage its data-driven technology platform to develop a commercial manufacturing process
• Support commercial manufacture of ALPN-303 with up-steam and downstream process, analytical method and formulation development
• Perform commercial process development at state-of-the art J.POD biomanufacturing facility in Redmond, WA

Demonstration of Just - Evotec Biologics Platform Benefits for Biotech Programs

• Rapid development from lead candidate to supply of Phase I/II material
• De-risking clinical development for non-standard antibody formats
• Securing transition from clinical to commercial stage

Evotec entered in April 2019 into partnership with Kazia Therapeutics, an Australian oncology-focused biotechnology company, for the clinical development of EVT801. In particular, Evotec granted Kazia an exclusive worldwide license for the development and the commercialization of EVT801. EVT801 is a selective orally available small molecule VEGFR3 inhibitor: it prevents tumor growth by impairing tumor (lymph) angiogenesis, thereby reducing primary tumor and metastasis growth and enhancing anti-cancer immunity.