All development partners now equipped with EVOTEC OAI's ultra high-throughput screening technology:
 
March 7, 2001 - EVOTEC BioSystems AG (EVOTEC OAI) (Neuer Markt: EVT) today announced that EVOscreen® Mark II, the world's first fully-operational, automated, miniaturized system accurate to one microliter, designed for ultra-high throughput screening (uHTS), has been successfully tested and accepted by Glaxo SmithKline (GSK) in Harlow, England. Consequently, all three of EVOTEC OAI's current technology development partners are now equipped with EVOscreen® technology on site. 
 
Since May 2000 EVOscreen® Mark II, designed for GSK, has been undergoing testing by GSK scientists in Hamburg. The results of their experiments have  demonstrated the robustness of the screening system. In addition three biological assays were successfully performed in ultra high throughput format using different read out parameters. EVOscreen® Mark II was shipped for installation at GSK in November 2000. The site acceptance tests significantly exceeded the pre-defined specifications and the   timelines for the project were fully met.
 
"The  successful delivery of the  EVOscreen® Mark II instrument to GSK demonstrates not only the excellence and robustness of the technology developed by EVOTEC, but also the value of the collaboration between scientists of both companies to realize the development of a superior instrument suitable for advancing high-throughput screening to a new level of performance", commented Thomas Meek, Head of Screening Sciences at Glaxo SmithKline.
 
EVOTEC OAI is very pleased with the close cooperation and scientific team work between the two companies on this program. EVOTEC OAI has provided an intensive training program and scientists at GSK are now familiar with operating the complete system. Feedback from GSK along the way has also helped to improve the performance of  the  Mark II.
 
In conjunction with GSK, EVOTEC OAI is currently developing the next generation of its ultra-high-throughput screening platform, EVOscreen® Mark III. It integrates further technological advances, particularly in the field of cellular assays. In addition, the flexible system architecture allows the use of additional devices, integrated in part with the support of GSK software developers. The Mark III project is currently on schedule and it is anticipated that the system will be delivered to GSK by the end of 2001.
 
EVOscreen® is the world's first fully-operational, automated miniaturized system, accurate to one microliter, designed for ultra-high throughput screening (uHTS). With this technology EVOTEC OAI has added a new dimension of efficiency in the process of identifying novel potential drug candidates. EVOscreen®'s potential is based on the combination of miniaturization, automation and EVOTEC OAI's proprietary single-molecule detection technology. The system has the potential for a throughput of 100,000 tests per day. In the process of analyzing minute assay volumes it generates data of high information content and delivers cost savings by significantly reducing the consumption of valuable reagents. With EVOscreen®, EVOTEC OAI has secured a leading position in the field of ultra high throughput screening (uHTS).
 
EVOTEC OAI offers the full range of high-value added products and services required to discover and develop drugs more effectively and efficiently. By integrating accelerated methods in biology, chemistry and screening, the Company has established a unique position as a one-stop-shop for all the critical elements in the drug discovery research and development process from target to clinical development. Approximately 500 people are based in Hamburg, Germany and Abingdon, U.K. EVOTEC OAI already has close links with many of the leading companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, including Novartis, Pfizer, Glaxo SmithKline, Aventis, Pharmacia/Sugen, Eli Lilly, Bayer, BMS, Roche, Solvay, Amgen, Biogen, Vertex, Serono and Immunex. The new Company's shares are listed on the Neuer Markt of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
 
On July 31, 2000, EVOTEC, a German registered public company, and OAI, a U.K. registered public company, announced their intention to merge. This merger became unconditional on 29th September 2000. OAI formally de-listed from the London Stock Exchange on 1st December 2000.


Distributed by:
EVOTEC BioSystems AG
Anne Hennecke
Investor Relations, Corporate Communications
Phone: +49 (0)40 560 81 286
Fax: +49 (0)40 560 81 333
E-mail anne.hennecke@evotec.de
www.evotec.com