Evotec, a drug discovery alliance and development partnership company, has licensed a portfolio of small molecules and biologics designed to trigger the regeneration of insulin-producing beta cells to Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

Janssen will receive exclusive access to a series of candidates designed to trigger the beta cells. The small molecules and biologics were identified by scientists in the Harvard University laboratory of Douglas Melton, and further analyzed in collaboration with scientists from Evotec, as part of the CureBeta research and development program.

"As the funding and licensing landscape has evolved in the pharmaceutical industry, we have evolved to identify new development strategies for our research assets. This alliance with Janssen Pharmaceuticals represents an important step towards a real solution for the treatment of diabetes,” said Isaac T. Kohlberg, Harvard's chief technology development officer.

The agreement between Evotec and Janssen triggers an upfront payment of $8 million. Upon achievement of certain pre-clinical, clinical, regulatory and commercial goals, Janssen will make future milestone payments of up to $300 million per product. In addition, Janssen will pay royalties on future sales of any products that result from this collaboration. The upfront, milestone and royalty payments will be shared by Evotec and Harvard according to pre-agreed terms.

In addition, Evotec will receive research support for discovery and early development work that will be conducted in collaboration with Janssen. Janssen will also provide industrial scope and scale as well as pharmaceutical development expertise and marketing capabilities.