Evotec
Corporate brand
UnclaimedGerman drug discovery and development company providing integrated research services and partnering platforms for pharmaceutical and biotechnology programs.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Evotec SE is a German drug discovery and development company headquartered in Hamburg. Rather than operating primarily as a conventional branded medicines company, Evotec works as an integrated research partner for pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology businesses, academic institutions, patient organizations and investment-backed venture projects. Its activities span early scientific research, target identification and validation, assay development, screening, medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, pharmacology, cell biology, biologics, translational research and preclinical development. Through partnerships and internal platforms, the company seeks to move potential therapies from biological concepts toward clinical development and commercialization. The business originated in 1993 as Evotec BioSystems GmbH. Its founding group included scientists and entrepreneurs associated with biochemical research, among them Karsten Henco, Ulrich Aldag, Freimut Leidenberger, Heinrich Schulte, Rudolf Rigler, Charles Weissmann and Nobel Prize-winning chemist Manfred Eigen. Evotec went public in 1999 on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. In 2000, it combined with the British chemical-services company Oxford Asymmetry International, becoming Evotec OAI. The company subsequently reorganized its activities and separated technology-tool operations from drug discovery and development services. The tools division, Evotec Technologies GmbH, was sold to PerkinElmer in 2006, allowing the group to concentrate more heavily on pharmaceutical discovery and development. Evotec expanded through acquisitions and collaborations that added therapeutic expertise, scientific platforms and geographically distributed research capacity. Purchases including Renovis, DeveloGen, Kinaxo Biotechnologies, Compound Focus, CCS Cell Culture Service, Euprotec, Cyprotex and Aptuit strengthened capabilities in neuroscience, metabolic disease, chemical proteomics, compound management, infectious disease, preclinical testing and integrated development services. Transactions and collaborations involving Sanofi added a small-molecule development site in Toulouse and later an infectious-disease research operation in Lyon. These moves broadened the company from a specialist discovery business into a multi-site contract research and partnered-development organization. Its therapeutic work has included central nervous system and neurological diseases, metabolic disorders such as diabetes, oncology, inflammatory conditions and infectious diseases. Evotec also develops platform-based approaches in areas such as induced pluripotent stem-cell research, cell therapy, biologics and targeted protein degradation. The company combines fee-for-service research with longer-term alliances, in which it may receive research payments, milestones, royalties or other economic participation if partnered programs progress. This model gives Evotec exposure to a broad pipeline while reducing its dependence on a single internally owned medicine. Evotec has maintained long-term or significant relationships with companies and organizations including Bristol Myers Squibb, Bayer, Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim, the CHDI Foundation, Eli Lilly, Takeda and Sernova. It has also supported early-stage science through initiatives such as Autobahn Labs, a virtual incubator established with investment partners. In 2020, it acquired Just Biologics, adding biologics-development expertise and a platform connected with efforts to make biologic medicines more accessible. The company has been publicly traded in Germany since 1999. Its shares entered the TecDAX in 2009 and the MDAX in 2018 after German index rules changed. Evotec completed a secondary listing on Nasdaq in November 2021. The company operates internationally through research sites and alliances, with a business model centered on collaborative drug discovery, scientific platforms and outsourced research demand from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.
History
Evotec was established in 1993 as Evotec BioSystems GmbH by a group of scientists and business founders working in biochemical and drug-discovery research. The founding group included Karsten Henco, Ulrich Aldag, Freimut Leidenberger, Heinrich Schulte, Rudolf Rigler, Charles Weissmann and Nobel Prize-winning chemist Manfred Eigen. From its beginning, the company focused on applying scientific and technological capabilities to pharmaceutical research rather than building a single therapeutic franchise. The company became publicly traded in 1999 on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. In 2000, it merged with Oxford Asymmetry International plc, a British chemical-services company, and adopted the name Evotec OAI. The transaction expanded Evotec's chemistry capabilities and helped establish a broader platform for drug discovery services. In 2002, Evotec separated its operations into Discovery and Development Services and Tools and Technologies. The latter activities were conducted through Evotec Technologies GmbH, which was sold to PerkinElmer in 2006. The divestment reflected a strategic decision to focus corporate resources on discovering and developing pharmaceutical compounds. The group adopted the name Evotec AG in 2005 as it placed greater emphasis on proprietary drug-development activities while retaining its discovery-services roots. Its growth strategy then combined internal science, fee-based research, collaborative alliances and acquisitions. In 2008, Evotec acquired U.S.-based Renovis, strengthening its neuroscience position and providing access to the U.S. market. Evotec later acquired DeveloGen in 2010, adding metabolic-disease research; Kinaxo Biotechnologies in 2011, adding chemical-proteomics expertise; and Compound Focus, the compound-management business associated with the Galapagos group, also in 2011. Further transactions broadened the service platform. CCS Cell Culture Service joined the group in 2013, followed by infectious-disease research organization Euprotec in 2014. Evotec's relationship with Sanofi became strategically important. In 2015, it took over Sanofi's small-molecule drug-development site in Toulouse, France, bringing approximately 200 researchers into the organization. In 2016, Evotec completed the acquisition of Cyprotex, a preclinical contract research organization with capabilities relevant to drug metabolism, safety and pharmacology. In 2017, it acquired Aptuit, an integrated drug-development services provider, expanding its ability to support programs across discovery and preclinical development. In 2018, Evotec acquired Sanofi's infectious-disease research unit. The arrangement added a Lyon-based operation, roughly 100 employees and a portfolio of anti-infective research assets. The stated areas of emphasis included antimicrobial resistance, tuberculosis, malaria and antiviral research. This transaction complemented Evotec's broader strategy of combining scientific platforms with long-term partnerships in therapeutic areas where pharmaceutical companies seek external research capacity. Evotec also developed a more explicit platform and partnership strategy. Its work extended beyond conventional small-molecule chemistry into biologics, stem-cell and cell-therapy research, disease models and newer approaches such as targeted protein degradation. In 2019, the company completed its conversion into a Societas Europaea and became Evotec SE. In 2020, it acquired Just Biologics, a U.S. biologics company, and joined Samsara BioCapital and KCK Ltd. in launching Autobahn Labs, a virtual incubator for early-stage scientific programs. The company continued to build cell-therapy capabilities through its EVOcells platform and announced a transaction involving Italian cell-technology company Rigenerand in 2022. Evotec's operating model remains centered on global research sites and alliances rather than on a large portfolio of marketed medicines. It collaborates with pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, academic institutions, patient groups and venture investors. Public-market milestones include entry into the TecDAX in 2009, admission to the MDAX in 2018 and completion of a secondary Nasdaq listing in 2021. Through these stages, Evotec evolved from a specialized biochemical research company into a globally operating drug-discovery and development partner.
- 2022
Rigenerand transaction announced
[1]Evotec announces a transaction involving Italian cell-technology company Rigenerand and its EVOcells cell-therapy platform.
- 2021
Secondary Nasdaq listing
[1]Evotec completes a secondary listing on Nasdaq.
- 2020
Just Biologics acquisition
[1]Evotec acquires U.S.-based Just Biologics to strengthen biologics development.
- 2020
Autobahn Labs launches
[1]Evotec and investment partners establish a virtual incubator for early-stage research programs.
- 2019
Conversion to Evotec SE
[1]The company completes its conversion into a European Company and adopts the legal name Evotec SE.
- 2018
Sanofi infectious-disease unit transaction
[1]Evotec takes over Sanofi's infectious-disease research operation in Lyon and associated research assets.
- 2018
Joins the MDAX
[1]Evotec enters Germany's MDAX index after an index-rule change permitting dual-sector eligibility.
- 2017
Aptuit acquisition
[1]Evotec acquires Aptuit and expands integrated drug-development services.
- 2016
Cyprotex acquisition
[1]Evotec completes the acquisition of preclinical contract research organization Cyprotex.
- 2015
Toulouse research-site transaction with Sanofi
[1]Evotec takes over Sanofi's small-molecule drug-development site in Toulouse and adds approximately 200 researchers.
Products and positioning
An integrated, science-led drug discovery and development partner connecting pharmaceutical, biotechnology and academic research with scalable discovery platforms and preclinical capabilities.
Research services
Integrated drug discovery services
Evotec provides coordinated research across target identification and validation, assay development, screening, medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, pharmacology and translational science. These services can be supplied as individual capabilities or combined into longer-term discovery alliances for pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients.
Development services
Preclinical development
The company supports programs after initial discovery through pharmacology, drug metabolism, safety-related testing, formulation and other preclinical activities. The expansion of this offering was supported by acquisitions including Cyprotex and Aptuit, allowing Evotec to participate in broader development workflows.
Cell therapy platform
EVOcells
EVOcells is Evotec's platform for cell-based research and cell-therapy development. It is associated with the company's work in engineered and differentiated cell systems, manufacturing-related capabilities and partnerships intended to translate cell science into therapeutic programs.
Biologics · 2020
Biologics discovery and development
Evotec's biologics activities support research and development programs involving large-molecule medicines. The acquisition of Just Biologics expanded this part of the business and complemented the company's small-molecule, cell-based and translational research platforms.
Discovery technology
Chemical proteomics and targeted protein degradation
Evotec applies chemical-proteomics methods to understand compound–protein interactions, identify mechanisms and support small-molecule discovery. These capabilities also contribute to newer approaches such as targeted protein degradation, in which cellular machinery is used to remove selected disease-relevant proteins.
Research incubator · 2020
Autobahn Labs
Autobahn Labs is a virtual incubator created by Evotec with Samsara BioCapital and KCK Ltd. It is designed to identify and advance early-stage scientific programs, connecting academic or emerging research with venture-building and drug-development resources.
Controversies
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Autobahn Labs early-stage research incubator
United States · Global
Evotec partnered with Samsara BioCapital and KCK Ltd. to establish a virtual incubator aimed at translating promising early-stage research into drug-development programs.
Outcome. Created an additional channel for academic and venture-backed research collaboration.
Brand decisions
2022
Rigenerand cell-technology transactionM&ABackground
Evotec was expanding cell-therapy and cell-manufacturing capabilities around its EVOcells platform.
Action taken
Evotec announced an agreement involving Italian cell-technology company Rigenerand and its cGMP-related capabilities.
Aftermath
The transaction was intended to strengthen Evotec's cell-therapy development and manufacturing platform.
2021
Secondary Nasdaq listingStrategyBackground
Evotec sought greater visibility and access to investors in the U.S. biotechnology and pharmaceutical capital markets.
Action taken
The company completed a secondary listing on Nasdaq.
Aftermath
Evotec expanded its public-market presence beyond Germany and gained a dedicated U.S. trading venue.
2020
Acquisition of Just BiologicsM&ABackground
Evotec wanted to broaden its research platform beyond small molecules and strengthen its ability to support biologics programs.
Action taken
The company acquired U.S.-based Just Biologics.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded Evotec's biologics capabilities and complemented its integrated discovery model.
2018
Takeover of Sanofi's infectious-disease research unitM&ABackground
Evotec sought to expand its infectious-disease research platform and build capabilities in areas including antimicrobial resistance and other serious infections.
Action taken
Evotec took over Sanofi's Lyon infectious-disease research operation, employees and a portfolio of anti-infective research assets.
Aftermath
The transaction strengthened Evotec's infectious-disease presence and added research capacity in France.
2006
Divestment of Evotec TechnologiesStrategyBackground
Evotec had separated tools and technologies from its discovery and development services and decided to concentrate resources on pharmaceutical research.
Action taken
The company sold Evotec Technologies GmbH to PerkinElmer.
Aftermath
The divestment sharpened Evotec's focus on drug discovery and development rather than laboratory instrumentation and technology tools.
Recent events
Reported
Bayer discontinues development of eliapixant[2]
Bayer decided to discontinue clinical development of eliapixant, an investigational P2X3 receptor antagonist. Evotec said it regained rights to all P2X3 assets and would evaluate the data when available.
Evotec and Bristol Myers Squibb expand neuroscience collaboration[3]
Evotec announced that its collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb was expanded to include a new cell type, triggering a $9 million payment to Evotec. The expansion enables the companies to investigate neurodegenerative diseases using the additional cell type.
Reported
Evotec acquires GlaxoSmithKline’s Verona site[4]
Evotec acquired the Verona site from GlaxoSmithKline. The site was to be named Campus Levi-Montalcini.
Reported
Evotec licenses panCELLa iPSC technologies[5]
Evotec and panCELLa entered into an agreement under which Evotec will receive a non-exclusive licence to access panCELLa's iPSC technologies for cell therapy research and development.
Reported
Evotec takes a minority stake in panCELLa[5]
As part of its agreement with panCELLa, Evotec invested to take a minority stake in the company; the financial details were not disclosed.
Reported
Evotec participates in Celmatix funding round[6]
Evotec participated in a financing round for Celmatix alongside other investors. The funding is intended to allow Celmatix to expand its therapeutics initiatives; the financial terms were not disclosed.
Reported
Evotec announces expanded strategic partnership with Celmatix[6]
Evotec announced an expansion of its strategic partnership with Celmatix in women's health. The expanded alliance builds on their existing collaboration to develop pre-clinical programmes addressing reproductive health conditions.
Sources6 sources
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