Evotec Announces Phase I Initiation with P2X7 Antagonist
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Hamburg, Germany - Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT; NASDAQ:
EVTC) announced today that Phase I clinical studies for its
proprietary, small molecule P2X7 receptor antagonist have been
initiated.
The P2X7 receptor is an ATP-gated ion channel primarily expressed on
cells of the immune system and is thought to play an important role
in inflammatory processes through the regulation of a number of
proinflammatory cytokines. P2X7 receptor antagonism may provide a
novel approach to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other
inflammatory conditions, which affect millions of individuals.
The first Phase I study is a double-blind and placebo-controlled
single ascending dose study in healthy male volunteers to evaluate
the compound's safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic profile and
pharmacodynamic effects after oral administration.
Michael G Kelly, Ph.D., President, Renovis, Inc., Evotec's US
subsidiary, commented: "We are extremely pleased to announce today
the achievement of this second important clinical milestone at our US
site following its integration into Evotec earlier this year. The
initiation of Phase I studies with our P2X7 receptor antagonist is
the culmination of the efforts of many of our dedicated R&D staff
over the past few years and we have high expectations as we progress
further into development."
Contact: Anne Hennecke, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations &
Corporate Communications, Evotec AG, Phone: +49.(0)40.56081-286,
anne.hennecke@evotec.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this press release contains forward-looking
statements, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to,
statements about our expectations and assumptions concerning
regulatory, clinical and business strategies, the progress of our
clinical development programs and timing of the results of our
clinical trials, strategic collaborations and management's plans,
objectives and strategies. These 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. In particular, the risks and
uncertainties include, among other things: risks that product
candidates may fail in the clinic or may not be successfully marketed
or manufactured; risks relating to our ability to advance the
development of product candidates currently in the pipeline or in
clinical trials; our inability to further identify, develop and
achieve commercial success for new products and technologies;
competing products may be more successful; our inability to interest
potential partners in our technologies and products; our inability to
achieve commercial success for our products and technologies; our
inability to protect our intellectual property and the cost of
enforcing or defending our intellectual property rights; our failure
to comply with regulations relating to our products and product
candidates, including FDA requirements; the risk that the FDA may
interpret the results of our studies differently than we have; the
risk that clinical trials may not result in marketable products; the
risk that we may be unable to successfully secure regulatory approval
of and market our drug candidates; and risks of new, changing and
competitive technologies and regulations in the U.S. and
internationally.
The list of risks above is not exhaustive. Our Annual Report on Form
20-F, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other
documents filed with, or furnished to the Securities and Exchange
Commission, contain additional factors that could impact our
businesses and financial performance. 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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Evotec AG
Schnackenburgallee 114 Hamburg Germany
WKN: 566480; ISIN:
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