Evotec
AG today announced that it has entered into a multiple
target drug discovery collaboration with Shionogi & Co Ltd., to identify small molecule modulators of various
protein-protein interaction targets.

Evotec will apply its proprietary and integrated
fragment-based drug discovery platform, EVOlution(TM) to the programme. The key
benefit of this platform for the selection of target-specific strategies is its
versatility, combining biochemical and biophysical techniques including nuclear
magnetic resonance (NMR), surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and X-ray
crystallography. Within this collaboration, EVOlution(TM) will be used to
investigate protein-protein interactions on targets selected by Shionogi.

Dr Mario Polywka, COO of Evotec stated: “We are
extremely pleased that Shionogi has decided to undertake these projects with
Evotec. Our proprietary fragment-based drug discovery platform has shown that
it adds significant value to our partner’s programmes and we look forward to
supporting Shionogi in finding novel treatments for inflammation and infectious
diseases.”

No financial details are disclosed.