Evotec and Variant Bio Announce Strategic Partnership to Combat Fibrosis

On April 18, 2024, Evotec SE and Variant Bio, Inc. declared a strategic collaboration focused on developing treatments for diseases associated with fibrosis. This agreement blends Variant Bio’s genomic discovery technology and Evotec’s drug development expertise.

Fibrosis, known for the harmful accumulation of tissue matrix which causes organ degeneration, significantly contributes to global disease burden. Current treatments for fibrotic diseases are inadequate, signaling a profound unmet medical need.

The collaboration aims to create best-in-class treatments by harnessing Variant Bio’s genomic insights and Evotec’s capabilities in antifibrotic drug discovery. Under this partnership, Evotec will receive funding and possibly further payments based on the success of the initiative.

Matthias Evers of Evotec highlights the alignment of Variant’s genomic model with Evotec’s data-driven approach, which is hoped to amplify success rates in drug development. Andrew Farnum of Variant Bio emphasized Evotec’s adeptness in accelerating program timelines crucial for advancing their joint fibrosis program. Additionally, David Moller of Variant Bio praised Evotec’s drug discovery resources that are essential for meeting the collaboration’s pre-clinical and clinical objectives.