* Collaboration leverages the breadth & experience of Evotec's drug discovery infrastructure across chemistry & biology
* Efforts will combine the use of C4XD's proprietary NMR technology to conformational ligand design with Evotec's state-of-the-art biology & computational and medicinal chemistry capabilities
Hamburg, Germany - 19 January 2015: Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809) today announced a research collaboration with C4X Discovery Holdings plc ("C4XD") to optimise Orexin-1 selective inhibitors discovered through C4XD's unique NMR technology. Evotec will apply its drug discovery platform with C4XD to further develop several series of Orexin-1 selective inhibitors.
Activation of the orexin-1 receptor in the brain is associated with stress-related addictive disorders (e.g. for alcohol, nicotine, cocaine and opiates), while the activation of the orexin-2 receptor is associated with biorhythms and wakefulness. Identification and development of selective compounds that inhibit the orexin-1 pathway thus should provide treatments for addiction avoiding the sedative effects associated with inhibition of orexin-2.
"We are delighted to work with C4XD on this strategic collaboration. C4XD has an exciting technology that can really revolutionise how rational drug design is conducted, particularly on targets like Orexin where the conformation of drug-like ligands is particular important to on-target potency. With Evotec's complementary expertise in computational chemistry, medicinal chemistry and pharmacology we look forward to help drive C4XD's objective to develop compounds to treat addictive disorders", said Dr Mario Polywka, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec.
"Through this collaboration with Evotec, we expect our novel biological discoveries and medical insights will be effectively and efficiently progressed into a state-of-the-art drug discovery and development programme. The collaboration is already demonstrating the benefit of an alliance in accelerating drug discovery projects", said Piers Morgan, CEO of C4XD.
No financial details were disclosed.
ABOUT C4X DISCOVERY HOLDINGS PLC
C4XD is a Manchester-based company focused on optimising drug discovery and design. It was founded in 2008 as a spin-out from the University of Manchester. The company uses its NMR-based technology to solve the dynamic 3D structures of a broad range of biomolecules, including peptides, cofactors, oligonucleotides and carbohydrates. Since C4XD's NMR technology shows what shapes active molecules prefer to adopt, it provides high-quality templates for drug discovery and design, and valuable information for drug candidate optimisation. In addition, the data is generated faster and more reliably than standard techniques such as X-ray co-crystallography or molecular modelling. C4XD is using its technology in collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry and to build its own proprietary pipeline of high-value therapeutic candidates. www.c4xdiscovery.com
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.