HAMBURG, Germany and OXFORD, England, November 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, TecDAX 30) today announced
initiation of a Phase I study with EVT 101, its NR2B subtype selective NMDA
receptor antagonist for the potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease,
neuropathic pain and Parkinson's disease. EVT 101 is now Evotec's second
clinical programme and the first to advance from internal preclinical testing.
    The study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase I study evaluating
the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of EVT 101 in young and elderly
healthy volunteers.
    Dr John Kemp, Executive Vice President R&D Pharmaceuticals Division at
Evotec, commented: "Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and neuropathic
pain remain major unmet medical needs with only limited treatment options
currently available. EVT 101 is the only publicly described orally active
NR2B subtype selective antagonist to have entered clinical testing and, as
such, represents a new opportunity to deliver novel therapeutic approaches
through significant inhibition of this important NMDA receptor system. This
has not previously been possible because of the adverse effects associated
with non-selective NMDA receptor blockade. Preclinical and clinical evidence
indicates that this selectivity leads to superior efficacy and safety as
compared to non-selective NMDA antagonists. We are very excited about the
potential of EVT 101 to improve the lives of those who suffer from
Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and neuropathic pain."
    Notes to Editors:
    About EVT 101
    EVT 101 is being developed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease,
Parkinson's disease and neuropathic pain. It is a highly potent and selective
antagonist of NR2B subunit containing NMDA receptors. In preclinical studies,
the compound shows strong efficacy combined with an improved side effect
profile compared to non-selective NMDA receptor antagonists and has good oral
bioavailability and in vivo pharmacokinetics.
    NMDA background
    Apart from their normal physiological role in nerve-to-nerve cell
communication NMDA receptors are important players in certain pathological
disease states such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, neuropathic
pain states and epilepsy. The hypothesis is that when NMDA receptor
over-activation is reduced in these conditions with an "antagonist", this
positively impacts on the disease. Extensive studies over the last 15 years
have indicated a potential for NMDA receptor antagonists in the treatment of
these diseases. However, the clinical development of non-selective
antagonists has been limited by unfavourable side-effects, such as
hallucinations. In the early 1990's it was found that multiple NMDA receptor
subtypes exist which contain different NR2(A-D) subunits. Compounds
selectively targeting NR2B subunit-containing receptors retain many of the
beneficial effects of earlier non-selective compounds but have much improved
side effect profiles. Separating side effects from beneficial effects by
selectively targeting the NR2B-subunit allows to dose higher and hence to
potentially increase efficacy of the drug.
    About Evotec AG
    Evotec is a leader in the discovery and development of novel small
molecule drugs. Both through its own discovery programmes and through
contract research partnerships, the Company is providing highest quality
research results to its partners in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology
industries.
    In proprietary projects, Evotec specialises in finding new treatments for
diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Evotec has two Phase I clinical
programmes: EVT 201, a GABAA modulator for the treatment of insomnia, and EVT
101, a subtype selective NMDA receptor antagonist for the treatment of
Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and neuropathic pain.
    In contract research, Evotec has established itself as the partner of
choice for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide. The Company
provides innovative and often integrated solutions from drug target to clinic
through an unmatched range of capabilities, including early stage assay
development and screening through to medicinal chemistry and drug
manufacturing.
    In 2004, Evotec has generated sales of EUR 73 million with over 600
people located in Hamburg, Germany and near Oxford and in Glasgow, UK.
    http://www.evotec.com

    Contact:

    Evotec AG
    Anne Hennecke
    Director, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
    Phone: +49-40-56081-286
    Fax:   +49-40-56081-333
    E-Mail: [log in to unmask]

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