Evotec and Sanofi form drug discovery agreement

Evotec has entered into exclusive negotiations with Sanofi on a major multi-component strategic alliance over the next five years.

The collaboration will comprise three major strategic initiatives all focused on improving innovation in drug discovery and pre-clinical development.

The collaboration will result in a minimum guaranteed commitment from Sanofi to Evotec of €250m over the next five years, including a sizeable upfront cash payment that will be defined in the agreement. It will include a co-development agreement with associated upfront, development, regulatory and sales milestones as well as royalties benefiting both parties. This multi-component transaction is expected to be signed in the first half of 2015, subject to finalization of definitive agreements and completion of the appropriate social process.  

Dr Werner Lanthaler, Chief Executive Officer of Evotec, said: "We are very proud that Sanofi has chosen Evotec for this significant alliance. This collaboration is a major milestone in the drug discovery space and accelerates Evotec's strategy to become the leading drug discovery partner to the Pharma and biotech industry as well as academia. We will warmly welcome the Sanofi employees to the Evotec Group and look forward to working with them."  

"Open innovation is a key driver of Sanofi's strategy. We believe Evotec will be an ideal partner, a company that fits our quality expectations and our strategic vision. Our collaboration will secure the future for our employees in Toulouse and importantly accelerate our pipeline productivity", said Dr Elias Zerhouni, President Global R&D for Sanofi.