This collaboration will focus on utilising Evotec’s data-driven discovery platform alongside its AI data science and advanced screening technologies.
It aims to accelerate the discovery and validation of new small molecule drug candidates across several disease targets.
By combining Evotec’s screening capabilities, AI-enabled discovery platform and compound libraries with Odyssey’s expertise in autoimmune and inflammatory disease biology, the companies seek to identify validated hit series and advance encouraging therapeutic programmes.
Evotec chief scientific officer Dr Cord Dohrmann said: “Drug discovery increasingly depends on the ability to integrate deep disease biology with advanced experimental and computational approaches to drug discovery.
“This collaboration with Odyssey illustrates well Evotec’s strategy in applying integrated discovery platform technologies to complex disease areas where new approaches are urgently needed.
“Together, we aim to generate differentiated and validated starting points for Odyssey to develop into new therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.”
This partnership intends to leverage complementary scientific strengths to boost early-stage research and produce new medicines.
Evotec may receive milestone payments based on the delivery of validated hit series successful for targeted diseases, though financial specifics of the agreement remain undisclosed.
Evotec’s expertise covers biologics, small molecules, cell therapies and associated modalities, supported by Molecular Patient Databases, PanOmics and iPSC-based disease modelling platforms.
In a separate development, Niagen Bioscience selected Evotec to support the advancement of NB4168, a small molecule designed for oral pharmaceutical development.
This work will be conducted in collaboration with Niagen Bioscience’s wholly owned subsidiary, NAD Pharmaceuticals, which is focused on developing accelerated ageing and rare genetic disease therapies.