Evotec links with Takeda

Evotec has entered into a strategic, multi-year drug discovery collaboration with Takeda, which aims to establish at least five drug discovery programmes for the latter to develop. Under the plans, Evotec will utilise its drug discovery platform to validate therapeutic hypotheses and advance small molecule programmes across Takeda's core areas of interest: oncology, gastroenterology, neuroscience and rare diseases. Takeda has options to assume responsibility at lead series and upon Evotec delivering a preclinical candidate. Takeda will pay Evotec a one-time, upfront fee to access its platforms. The firm is also eligible to receive preclinical, clinical, and commercial milestones that could overshoot $170 million per programme as well as tiered royalties on future sales.