Evotec SE announced today it has received a $2.5 million grant from The Gates Foundation to advance the development of next-generation tuberculosis (TB) treatment regimens. This funding represents the second grant awarded to Evotec by the foundation specifically focused on evaluating improved TB therapies using the company's advanced translational platforms.
The new grant builds upon an ongoing five-year collaboration that has already yielded standardized preclinical data critical for selecting more effective TB drug combinations. With this additional funding, Evotec will further characterize promising treatment regimens using its fully integrated TB platform, aiming to accelerate the development of transformative treatments for this persistent global health threat.
"We are honored to receive this new grant from the Gates Foundation, which reinforces our shared commitment to advancing better treatment options for tuberculosis," said Dr. Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec. "Through our ongoing partnership, we have made important contributions to the identification of promising new regimens, and this grant enables us to continue that work."
The Urgent Need for New Tuberculosis Treatments
Tuberculosis remains one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases, with staggering statistics highlighting the severity of the crisis. In 2021 alone, 10.6 million people contracted TB, and 1.6 million died from the disease. The airborne pathogen, primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, typically affects the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body.
The emergence of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) has further complicated global efforts to control the disease. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 450,000 new cases in 2021 were resistant to rifampicin and isoniazid—the two most effective first-line TB treatments. These resistant forms of TB are significantly more difficult and expensive to treat, often requiring extended treatment periods with more toxic medications and resulting in poorer outcomes.
Advancing Treatment Innovation Through Partnership
The partnership between Evotec and the Gates Foundation aims to address these challenges by developing shorter, safer, and more effective treatment regimens. Current TB treatments typically require patients to take multiple antibiotics for six months or longer, creating adherence challenges that contribute to the development of drug resistance.
Evotec's approach leverages its state-of-the-art translational platforms to evaluate novel drug combinations systematically. The company's integrated TB platform enables comprehensive assessment of potential treatment regimens, including their efficacy against drug-resistant strains, pharmacokinetic properties, and potential for reducing treatment duration.
Evotec's Integrated Approach to TB Research
As a life science company focused on drug discovery and development, Evotec brings significant expertise to the TB research field. The company integrates breakthrough science with AI-powered platforms and advanced technologies to accelerate the creation of new medicines.
Evotec's comprehensive approach to TB research includes:
- Screening novel compounds against TB bacteria, including drug-resistant strains
- Evaluating drug combinations for synergistic effects and resistance prevention
- Assessing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties to optimize dosing
- Conducting preclinical studies to determine safety and efficacy profiles
- Developing translational models to predict clinical outcomes
This systematic approach has already generated valuable data supporting the selection of promising TB drug combinations. The new funding will allow Evotec to further characterize these regimens and advance the most promising candidates toward clinical development.
Global Impact and Future Directions
The development of improved TB treatments could have profound implications for global health. More effective, shorter-duration regimens would improve patient adherence, reduce the emergence of drug resistance, and decrease the economic burden of TB treatment programs worldwide.
The continued partnership between Evotec and the Gates Foundation represents a significant commitment to addressing one of the world's most persistent infectious disease challenges. By combining Evotec's scientific and technological capabilities with the Gates Foundation's global health focus, the collaboration aims to make meaningful progress toward controlling and eventually eliminating TB as a public health threat.
As this work progresses, Evotec will continue to leverage its expertise in drug discovery and development, including its capabilities in small molecules, biologics, and advanced technologies, to identify and optimize TB treatment regimens that can significantly impact global health outcomes.
