Hamburg-based Evotec AG has invested EUR 15 million in research Company Exscientia Ltd., making Evotec the first strategic shareholder in the British firm. Exscientia and Evotec have cooperated since early 2016 in the development of new immuno-oncological therapies. Taking this minority stake expands and deepens the strategic partnership. This is the first project to be implemented by Evotec after receiving support from the European Investment Bank. In September 2017, the company was granted a loan of EUR 75 Million. A CMS team headed by lead partner Stefan-Ulrich Müller advised Evotec on all legal aspects of the investment. Evotec also relied on the team’s expertise when receiving the loan from the European Investment Bank.

Evotec’s core business is research and development for pharmaceutical and biotech companies, academic institutions, foundations, non-profit organisations and venture capitalists. As part of its Innovate strategy, the company is also building a pipeline of Partner programmes for disease-modifying therapies. Evotec, which is headquartered in Hamburg, was established in 1993 and is a leading provider of research into active ingredients. Other key operating locations are Göttingen and Munich as well as the UK, the US, France, Italy and Switzerland. Evotec has more than 2,000 employees worldwide.

Exscientia specialises in researching and designing active ingredients based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). This AI approach enables the company to develop therapeutic molecules faster and more efficiently. Exscientia was formed as a spin-out from Prof. Andrew Hopkins’ laboratory at the University of Dundee.

CMS Germany

Stefan-Ulrich Müller, Lead Partner
Dr. Tobias Kallmaier, Senior Associate, beide Corporate/Venture Capital

CMS Scotland

Stuart MacLean, Partner
James Woodward, Senior Associate, beide Corporate

Inhouse Evotec

Dr. Christian Dargel, General Counsel