Evotec Expands Collaboration with Storm Therapeutics on Its RNA Epigenetics Platform
July 27 2017 - 2:20AM
Business Wire
* Storm Therapeutics and Evotec to exploit RNA modulating
enzymes for novel epigenetic drug discovery
Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, TecDAX, ISIN:
DE0005664809) announced today an integrated drug discovery
collaboration with STORM Therapeutics ("STORM") to develop new
small molecule epigenetic drugs for oncology and other therapeutic
areas. The focus will be on a range of newly discovered RNA
modulating enzyme targets.
Evotec and STORM have been collaborating since 2016 in
high-throughput screening and structural biology to identify hits
against two of Storm's RNA modulating targets. The agreement has
been expanded to support STORM's chemistry efforts on additional
novel targets. Evotec will use its broad drug discovery platform to
develop the compounds against these novel RNA targets.
STORM was founded based on pioneering work in the Kouzarides
& Miska labs at the University of Cambridge to tackle diseases
through drugging of RNA modulating enzymes. STORM is the only
company harnessing the power of RNA epigenetics as a new area of
important biology.
Dr Mario Polywka, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec, commented:
"We are excited to be part of this extended drug discovery
collaboration with STORM which is targeting this novel class of RNA
modulating enzymes. This integrated drug discovery collaboration
showcases our industry leading drug discovery platform and
expertise and shows how it can be applied to the most novel drug
targets."
Keith Blundy, CEO of STORM Therapeutics, added: "We are very
happy to further expand this relationship with Evotec. At STORM,
our vision is to become the world's first company to deliver a
disease-modifying agent that works by targeting RNA modulating
enzymes. The combination of our understanding of the unique biology
of our multiple targets and the infrastructure we have in place
with Evotec will enable us to accelerate the development of novel
small molecule drug candidates."
No financial details were disclosed.
RNA AND RNA EPIGENETICS
RNA (ribonucleic acid) is the only direct product of the human
genome and as mRNA acts as the template for the synthesis of all
proteins, the molecular machines of the cell. RNA is also known to
be a key player in cellular decision-making, particularly in the
form of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) such as microRNA, piRNA and long
non-coding RNA. Almost all of this RNA is chemically modified: over
100 different chemical modifications have been identified to date,
catalysed by several large families of RNA-modifying enzymes. The
discovery of reversible chemical modifications of RNA and their
role in changing RNA activity and regulating key processes within
the cell gave rise to the concept of RNA epigenetics. There is a
growing understanding of the importance of RNA modifications in the
development of cancer and other diseases, providing a wealth of
novel therapeutic targets for drug discovery.
ABOUT STORM THERAPEUTICS
STORM Therapeutics is a University of Cambridge spin-out,
translating the ground-breaking work of Professors Tony Kouzarides
and Eric Miska in RNA epigenetics into the discovery of
first-in-class drugs in oncology and other diseases. For further
information about STORM Therapeutics please go to
www.stormtherapeutics.com.
ABOUT EVOTEC
AG Evotec is a drug discovery alliance and development
partnership company focused on rapidly progressing innovative
product approaches with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies, academics, patient advocacy groups and venture
capitalists. We operate worldwide providing the highest quality
stand-alone and integrated drug discovery solutions, covering all
activities from target-to-clinic to meet the industry's need for
innovation and efficiency in drug discovery (EVT Execute). The
Company has established a unique position by assembling top-class
scientific experts and integrating state-of-the-art technologies as
well as substantial experience and expertise in key therapeutic
areas including neuroscience, diabetes and complications of
diabetes, pain and inflammation, oncology and infectious diseases.
On this basis, Evotec has built a broad and deep pipeline of more
than 70 partnered product opportunities at clinical, pre-clinical
and discovery stages (EVT Innovate). Evotec has established
multiple long-term discovery alliances with partners including
Bayer, CHDI, Sanofi or UCB and development partnerships with e.g.
with Sanofi in the field of diabetes, with Pfizer in the field of
tissue fibrosis and Celgene in the field of neurodegenerative
diseases. For additional information please go to www.evotec.com
and follow us on Twitter @EvotecAG.
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 press release. 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.
Language: English Company: Evotec AG Manfred Eigen Campus /
Essener Bogen 7 22419 Hamburg Germany Phone: +49 (0)40 560 81-0
Fax: +49 (0)40 560 81-222 E-mail:
info@evotec.com
Internet:
www.evotec.com
ISIN: DE0005664809 WKN: 566480 Indices: TecDAX Listed: Regulated
Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market
in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart,
Tradegate Exchange
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Evotec AGGabriele HansenVP Corporate Communications &
Investor RelationsPhone:
+49.(0)40.56081-255gabriele.hansen@evotec.com