• Collaboration to discover new oncology therapies targeting epigenetic mechanisms

Hamburg, Germany and Boston, MA - 30 April 2013: The Belfer Institute for Applied Cancer Science at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809) today announced a research collaboration aimed at discovering and commercialising novel cancer treatments based on epigenetic drug mechanisms.

The goal of the collaboration is to validate emerging epigenetic targets for oncology indications and to demonstrate the drugability of the selected target families. Evotec, Dana-Farber and Dana-Farber's Belfer Institute for Applied Cancer Science will invest in enabling technologies, experimental target validation and the generation of chemical matter by leveraging existing expertise and platforms. The collaboration will be fuelled by substantial scientific contributions from the three organisations aligned on the objective to develop therapies that address unmet medical needs for cancer patients.
Epigenetics is a rapidly evolving high potential field of pharmaceutical research, calling for close relationships between academia and biotechnology innovators. By combining the complimentary capabilities of Dana-Farber, the Belfer Institute for Applied Cancer Science and Evotec this collaboration is uniquely positioned to succeed.

'We are very proud to have entered into this collaboration with Dana-Farber and the Belfer Institute for Applied Cancer Science, which perfectly matches our innovation strategy as described in Evotec's Action Plan 2016', said Dr Werner Lanthaler, CEO of Evotec.'We are enthusiastic about exploring novel targets that have the potential to produce first-in-class therapeutics for the treatment of cancer.'

Dr Jessie English, Head of Research at the Belfer Institute for Applied Cancer Science, added:'This pioneering partnership provides a unique opportunity to combine Evotec's drug discovery capabilities with Belfer Institute for Applied Cancer Science and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's expertise in oncology disease biology to accelerate the development of new medicines for patients.'

Further details and commercial terms of the cooperation are not disclosed.

ABOUT DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (www.dana-farber.org) is a principal teaching affiliate of the Harvard Medical School and is among the leading cancer research and care centers in the United States. It is a founding member of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC), designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute. It provides adult cancer care with Brigham and Women's Hospital as Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center and it provides pediatric care with Boston Children's Hospital as Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Center. Dana-Farber is the top ranked cancer center in New England, according to U.S. News & World Report, and one of the largest recipients among independent hospitals of National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health grant funding.

Follow Dana-Farber on Facebook: www.facebook.com/danafarbercancerinstitute and on Twitter: @danafarber.

ABOUT EPIGENETICS

In biology, and specifically genetics, epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype, caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence - hence the name epi- (Greek: επί- over, above, outer) -genetics, some of which are heritable. It refers to functionally relevant modifications to the genome that do not involve a change in the nucleotide sequence. Examples of such modifications are DNA methylation and histone modification, both of which serve to regulate gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence. (Source:Wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics)

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 report. 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.