Evotec Extends Collaboration with CHDI Foundation for Huntington’s Disease Research

Evotec SE, a leading life science company based in Hamburg, Germany, has recently announced the extension of its 20-year collaboration with CHDI Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit biomedical research organization dedicated to improving therapies for Huntington's disease.

This collaboration aims to advance scientific understanding of Huntington’s disease and facilitate the development of effective treatments by leveraging Evotec’s comprehensive neuroscience platform and expertise in CNS drug discovery and development.

The collaboration encompasses various biology and chemistry services, including target validation, stem-cell research, high-content screening, and biomarker discovery, among others, across multiple sites.

With roots dating back to 2006, this long-standing partnership between Evotec and CHDI is one of the largest strategic drug discovery alliances within Evotec.

Dr. Craig Johnstone, Evotec’s Chief Operating Officer, expressed delight over the continued collaboration and the joint effort to combat Huntington’s disease, emphasizing the unwavering commitment to finding new therapies for those affected by the condition.

Dr. Robert Pacifici, Chief Scientific Officer at CHDI, also highlighted the critical role Evotec has played in CHDI’s preclinical research programs over the past two decades, showcasing a fruitful and enduring scientific alliance.

Huntington’s disease, a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene, impacts cognitive and physical functions due to brain cell degeneration and ultimately leads to debilitating symptoms and premature death.

The condition, which typically manifests in midlife but can also surface in infancy or late adulthood, affects around 30,000 individuals in the United States, with an additional 150,000 individuals at a 50% risk of developing the disease.

CHDI Foundation, Inc., dedicated solely to advancing Huntington’s disease research, manages a diverse portfolio of projects through a collaborative model that bridges the gap between academic and industrial research efforts, expediting therapeutic development.

Evotec SE, with a unique business model centered on discovering and delivering effective therapeutics, collaborates with top pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology firms to address unmet medical needs in various therapeutic areas, including neurology, oncology, and infectious diseases.

The company’s global operations involve more than 5,000 employees across 17 sites, offering a range of technologies and services tailored to accelerate drug discovery and development processes.