Evotec Completes $90 Million Acquisition of Just Biotherapeutics to Accelerate End-to-End Innovation Strategy

On July 3, VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned from foreign media that Evotec SE has announced the completion of its strategic acquisition of the medical technology company Just Biotherapeutics. To finalize this acquisition, Evotec’s total investment amounts to $90 million, including potential earn-outs over the next three years. This acquisition accelerates Evotec’s long-term strategy to become the preferred industry partner for external end-to-end innovation, while simultaneously strengthening Evotec’s multimodal R&D approach.

Following its acquisition of Just Biotherapeutics, Evotec has integrated the company’s advanced machine learning technologies and its superior methods for biologic design, development, and manufacturing into Evotec’s pharmaceutical production processes. The 95 employees of Just Biotherapeutics, based in Seattle, Washington, along with its advanced biologics development and manufacturing facility, will expand Evotec’s operational footprint in the United States.

In less than four years, Just Biotherapeutics established the J.DESIGN platform. This platform enables design optimization, intelligent manufacturing, and efficient biologic drug development, attracting a diverse client base and thereby driving robust financial growth. Reportedly, Just Biotherapeutics generated approximately $20 million in revenue in 2018. This acquisition will accelerate Evotec’s revenue growth and strengthen its comprehensive capabilities.

Just Biotherapeutics possesses three highly commercially valuable technologies: jmd™, JP3®, and J.POD®. jmd™ is a process development tool that leverages Abacus™, a machine learning-based computer-aided design platform, to predict and select optimal molecules for further development. JP3® encompasses laboratory and computational tools for the rapid development of high-yield manufacturing processes, along with cGMP-compliant facilities for early-stage clinical production. The greatest potential lies in the company’s J.POD® technology, whose flexibility and modularity facilitate large-scale clinical production and commercialization of biologics.

Dr. Werner Lanthaler, CEO of Evotec, said, “We are pleased to have rapidly completed the acquisition of Just Biotherapeutics. By integrating Just Biotherapeutics’ expertise in biologics and its outstanding talent, we will enhance our capabilities to manufacture better products for our customers using the most advanced technologies. We warmly welcome the employees of Just Biotherapeutics to the Evotec Group.”

Dr. James Thomas, President of Evotec’s U.S. Operations and Executive Vice President, commented: “A team of creative and passionate employees has made rapid progress, establishing a state-of-the-art technology platform that expands the global reach of biologics. Following the completion of the transaction, these people and technologies will accelerate our expansion capabilities in Seattle. The acquisition broadens Evotec’s diverse product portfolio, providing integrated solutions for both small molecules and biologics.”

Evotec is a drug development company dedicated to rapidly advancing innovative therapeutic approaches in collaboration with leading biopharmaceutical companies, academics, and venture capital firms. With a global presence and more than 2,800 employees, Evotec provides high-quality drug discovery and development solutions to its clients. Its services span the entire spectrum from concept to clinical stages, addressing the industry’s demand for innovation and efficiency in drug discovery and development (EVT Execution). The company has established a unique position by assembling top-tier scientific experts, integrating advanced technologies, and accumulating extensive experience and expertise in key therapeutic areas, including neurological disorders, diabetes and its complications, pain and inflammation, oncology, infectious diseases, respiratory diseases, and fibrosis. Evotec has forged long-term partnerships with numerous world-class enterprises, including Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, CHDI, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Sanofi, Takeda, and UCB.

(Compiled by: Zhang Jing)