Evotec announced a research collaboration with Harvard University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) aimed at discovering and developing new treatments in diabetes, according to a Reuters report.

The initial goal of the collaboration is to pursue a comprehensive and systematic approach towards the identification and development of physiological mechanisms and targets that regulate beta cell replication. Harvard, HHMI and Evotec bring together expertise in beta cell biology and diabetes along with the tools to exploit beta cell-related mechanisms and targets. This unique collaboration will be fueled by substantial scientific contributions from Harvard and HHMI as well as Evotec's firm commitment to deliver on their common goal to develop orally available small molecule therapies that trigger or support beta cell replication.

"We are very proud to have entered into this collaboration with Harvard and HHMI. We are convinced that it will lead to the development of a pipeline of exciting drug candidates in diabetes," said Dr. Cord Dohrmann, CSO of Evotec. 

Dr. Doug Melton, Thomas Dudley Cabot Professor at Harvard University, and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, will be the principal investigators for Harvard and HHMI.