HAMBURG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809) today announced the signing of a set of collaboration agreements with the life science business of Merck, which will combine Merck's portfolio of genome editing technologies with Evotec's versatile screening platforms and disease expertise. Evotec will leverage Merck's comprehensive collection of genetic reagents such as viral CRISPR and shRNA libraries to enable new target discovery programmes using its capabilities for phenotypic screening in primary and induced pluripotent stem ("iPS") cells, as well as its in vivo disease models. Bringing together the complementary offerings, the two companies aim to provide fast and validated workflows to clients seeking to explore a new target space within complex disease models.

Dr Mario Polywka, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec, commented: "Together with our recent licensing of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology, these agreements with Merck further strengthen Evotec's offering in the area of target identification and validation for our partners. Deploying Merck's assay-ready reagents on our cellular screening platforms and in vivo models creates powerful capabilities in the area of target ID. With this we provide more value to joint clients by a one-stop-shop solution for this innovative drug discovery segment."

"The life science business of Merck has always been a leader in the development and distribution of functional genomics reagents, like CRISPR and shRNA", said Theresa S. Creasey, Head of Applied Solutions Strategic Marketing & Innovation at Merck. "Our Cell Design Studio team has been making custom cell lines for drug discovery for a decade, so this is an area where we are strong. What we were missing was a collaborator that could apply these reagents and cell lines for our customers, creating a full service, one-stop solution. Working with an expert in this field like Evotec completes our offering."

ABOUT EVOTEC AG

Evotec is a drug discovery alliance and development partnership company focused on rapidly progressing innovative product approaches with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academics, patient advocacy groups and venture capitalists. We operate worldwide providing the highest quality stand-alone and integrated drug discovery solutions, covering all activities from target-to-clinic to meet the industry's need for innovation and efficiency in drug discovery (EVT Execute). The Company has established a unique position by assembling top-class scientific experts and integrating state-of-the-art technologies as well as substantial experience and expertise in key therapeutic areas including neuroscience, diabetes and complications of diabetes, pain and inflammation, oncology and infectious diseases. On this basis, Evotec has built a broad and deep pipeline of more than 70 partnered product opportunities at clinical, pre-clinical and discovery stages (EVT Innovate). Evotec has established multiple long-term discovery alliances with partners including Bayer, CHDI, Sanofi or UCB and development partnerships with e.g. Janssen Pharmaceuticals in the field of Alzheimer's disease, with Sanofi in the field of diabetes and with Pfizer in the field of tissue fibrosis. For additional information please go to www.evotec.com.

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 press release. 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.

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