Evotec and ex scientia join forces to discover bispecific small molecule immuno-oncology therapeutics
Initial focus will be cancer-related adenosine targets which are increasingly recognised to play important roles in immuno-oncology
Evotec and UK-based ex scientia have formed a collaboration to discover and develop first-in-class bispecific small molecule immuno-oncology therapies. Ex scientia will contribute its unique algorithmic design platform while Evotec, mainly through its Toulouse site, will be responsible for medicinal chemistry, in vitro and in vivo pharmacology as well as development capabilities and expertise.
Application of bispecific small molecules is an exciting strategy to significantly expand and enhance efficacy beyond conventional single target therapies. The initial focus will be cancer-related adenosine targets which are increasingly recognised to play important roles in immuno-oncology. Combining adenosine-based mechanisms with related targets holds great promise in boosting efficacy and addressing larger patient populations through a single small molecule drug.
'Polypharmacy is a widely used strategy to manage diseases more effectively. Ex scientia has built an outstanding platform to purposely design bispecific small molecules that can address multiple targets through a single molecule,' said Dr Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec. 'Together we are well positioned to discover and develop a new generation of small molecule immuno-oncology therapies.'
This is a co-owned, risk-shared-partnership, and no further financial details were disclosed.