Evotec and Genentech expand discovery alliance

German biotech firm Evotec (EVT: Xetra) says that Genentech, the USA-based biotech subsidiary of Swiss pharma giant Roche (ROG: SIX), has extended its integrated drug discovery alliance with Evotec for a further three years to discover novel small molecule therapeutics. No financial details of the new accord were disclosed.

The collaboration initiated in May 2010 was renewed in 2013 and this second extension further validates the value of Evotec's state-of-the-art technology platform and broad expertise in drug discovery. Activities performed within the collaboration include pharmacology, screening, chemistry, proteomics and structural biology.

Mario Polywka, chief operating officer of Evotec, commented: "We are delighted that once again we have extended this fruitful collaboration beyond its 7th year and this latest extension is validation of the value Evotec brings to this partnership. With an increasing portfolio of activities, the scientific teams from both companies are working closely together to effectively and efficiently advance Genentech's discovery projects."