Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange:EVT) and MaRS Innovation announced the first project to be developed under their LAB150 partnership would target an unmet medical need in skin inflammatory conditions.
The project aims to develop kallikrein-targeting compounds as novel topical drugs for the rare but severe inflammatory skin disease, Netherton Syndrome, as well as the broader disorder atopic dermatitis.
Extensive research over many years from the laboratory of Dr. Eleftherios Diamandis at Mount Sinai Hospital, part of Sinai Health System in Toronto, has shown that excessive activity of kallikreins is central to the development of skin inflammation.
The team has completed a series of drug screening activities, which have led to the identification of some promising novel kallikrein inhibitors.
In a statement, Dr. Rafi Hofstein, president and CEO of MaRS Innovation, said the outcome of the project out of the Diamandis lab is a potential game changer for the health of many children, with stellar foundational scientific technology to be the inaugural LAB150 project.
Added Dr. Werner Lanthaler, CEO of Evotec, “Following the positive outcome of further drug discovery efforts that are conducted jointly at Evotec and at Dr. Diamandis’ lab, the foundation of a new company is planned in order to make these therapies available to patients in the most efficient and effective manner through LAB150.”
