Bayer and Evotec have entered into a five-year, multi-target research partnership to develop multiple clinical candidates for the treatment of kidney diseases such as chronic kidney disease in diabetes patients. Both companies will contribute novel drug targets and a comprehensive set of high-quality technology platforms to jointly develop innovative treatment options for these severe conditions. The partners will share responsibilities during preclinical development of potential clinical candidates.

"Chronic kidney disease is a severe medical condition with insufficient treatment options for many patients. This new research alliance with Evotec will perfectly complement Bayer's current research activities in this area of high unmet medical need," said Professor Andreas Busch, member of the executive committee of Bayer's Pharmaceuticals Division and head of Drug Discovery. "Evotec is already a strong partner of ours, and we look forward to continuing the relationship to develop novel drug candidates for the benefit of patients."

Dr. Cord Dohrmann, chief scientific officer of Evotec, said, "This research alliance will particularly target chronic kidney diseases, which are the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Currently, patients with end-stage renal disease face dialysis or kidney transplantation as the only available treatment options. There are no effective treatments that can significantly slow or reverse disease progression. We are very proud and excited to expand our efforts in kidney diseases together with Bayer in this area of enormous unmet medical need."

Bayer will receive exclusive access to selected candidates as well as to Evotec's CureNephrontarget pipeline. Bayer will be responsible for any subsequent clinical development and commercialization. Evotec will receive a minimum of €14 million over the contract period including research payments and an undisclosed license fee. In addition, Evotec is eligible to receive pre-clinical, clinical and sales milestones of potentially over € 300 m as well as tiered royalties up to low double-digit percentage of net sales.

In 2012, Bayer and Evotec entered into a five-year partnership in the therapeutic area of endometriosis. Currently in its fourth year, this alliance has delivered four preclinical candidates and one first-in-class clinical program has been initiated.