Evotec AG announced that it has reached a milestone from Bayer for the progression of a programme from the alliance portfolio into phase I clinical development for the treatment of endometriosis, triggering a milestone payment to Evotec.

This milestone was achieved under the strategic alliance between Evotec and Bayer entered in October 2012. The goal of the collaboration is to develop three clinical candidates within the five-year alliance. Both parties contribute innovative drug targets and high-quality technology infrastructures and share the responsibility for early research and pre-clinical characterisation of potential clinical candidates in the disease area of endometriosis.

Bayer will be responsible for subsequent clinical development and commercialisation while Evotec is eligible for clinical and sales milestones as well as royalties on net sales depending on the successful development and approval of a potential drug candidate.

Dr Mario Polywka, chief operating officer of Evotec, commented, "We are very pleased to report this exciting progress in our endometriosis collaboration with Bayer. The progression of this programme into clinical development is a significant achievement for the alliance. We look forward to continued success within the alliance as we strive to deliver new therapeutics for the treatment of this disease with significant unmet medical need."

Financial details were not disclosed.

Endometriosis affects an estimated 176 million women worldwide or 10% of women of reproductive age. It is caused by the abnormal growth of tissue similar to that which lines the uterus (endometrial tissue) in locations outside of the uterine cavity, where it causes ectopic lesion growth and debilitating pain. Endometrial growth is commonly found on the ovaries and pelvic peritoneum, potentially involving other organs of the pelvic cavity as e.g. bladder, bowel, and the rectovaginal space. There is no known cure for endometriosis and most available drug treatments have certain limitations. Endometriosis is a highly complex and heterogeneous disease and there is still a high unmet medical need for innovative therapies which address the individual needs of affected women. The disease can greatly impact a woman's social, professional and personal life, and women with endometriosis often experience a higher incidence of depression and emotional distress due to the uncertainty of diagnosis, unpredictability of symptoms and living a normal life.