Evotec and TESARO announced a three-year integrated drug discovery collaboration to discover and develop novel small molecule product candidates against an undisclosed immuno-oncology (IO) target.

Under the terms of the collaboration, Evotec will apply its integrated drug discovery platform, from lead discovery through nomination of a preclinical development candidate, to TESARO's translational research pipeline to advance best-in-class oncology therapies. In particular, Evotec will leverage its industry leading structural biology platform to identify novel start points to progress into a full-blown drug discovery program.

"TESARO is excited to work with Evotec to expand our discovery capabilities against immuno-oncology targets," said Jeffrey Hanke, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Research and Development, and Chief Scientific Officer of TESARO. "Evotec has a proven track record of enhancing its partners' drug discovery efforts in oncology. We look forward to working with Evotec to accelerate the identification of new therapies to help patients facing cancer."

Dr. Mario Polywka, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec, commented: "Oncology is one of Evotec's core therapeutic areas of focus and we are pleased to enter into this exciting and innovative partnership with TESARO, a globally recognized oncology leader and one of the fastest growing biotech companies in the USA. This collaboration further demonstrates the value of our integrated research site in Toulouse and our world-leading structural biology group in Oxford. Using our integrated drug discovery platform, we are committed to helping TESARO drive innovation in this very important field of high-unmet medical need."

No financial details of the collaboration were disclosed.