Evotec SE has achieved key progress in its long-standing neuroscience collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb, triggering a $20 million research payment to Evotec, enabling further development of a preclinical program in neurodegeneration.

The strategic collaboration began in December 2016 and the companies have been working to identify disease-modifying treatments for a broad range of neurodegenerative diseases. While currently approved therapies primarily focus on symptom management, this partnership aims to develop treatments that can slow or halt disease progression – addressing a significant unmet medical need.

The collaboration has yielded results, including the in-licensing of EVT8683 (now BMS-986419) by Bristol Myers Squibb in September 2021. In March 2023, the companies reaffirmed their commitment by extending and expanding the collaboration for an additional eight years.

Dr. Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec, said, “This latest achievement further underscores the strength of our collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb and the impact it has for jointly building a strong pipeline in neurological diseases. Our continued success highlights the unique commitment and reinforces our shared mission to deliver truly innovative treatment options for patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. With another high-potential program advancing towards clinical development, we are taking yet another important step in our pursuit of breakthrough therapies.”