The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Evotec SE’s Seattle-based subsidiary, Just – Evotec Biologics, Inc. a contract valued up to $74M for the rapid development of monoclonal antibody-based drug product prototypes targeting orthopoxviruses.
Under the contract, Just-Evotec Biologics will develop drug product prototypes from discovery through the execution of Phase I first-in-human clinical trials. To enable rapid development, Just-Evotec Biologics will further leverage its technology platform, J. DESIGN, with activities including molecular optimization, cell line and process development, and culminating in intensified continuous manufacturing at Just-Evotec Biologics’ advanced development and manufacturing facility – J.POD Redmond, Washington.
In addition, Evotec will leverage its pre-clinical and clinical biologics development capabilities. The rapid, cost-efficient development of mAb product protypes will yield an accelerated supply of safe and efficacious mAb medical countermeasures (“MCMs”) for use against orthopoxviruses.