Evotec and Almirall nominate small-molecule preclinical candidate for immune-mediated skin diseases like atopic dermatitis. Milestone hit in 2 years via AI-driven platforms; advancing to IND
Written By: Karthik Teja Macharla, PharmD
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Evotec SE and Almirall S.A. have announced the nomination of a small-molecule preclinical development candidate (PDC) from their joint drug discovery alliance in medical dermatology. The program focuses on developing new treatments for immune-mediated inflammatory skin diseases with high unmet need.
The candidate nomination marks a key milestone in the collaboration, achieved within two years of initiating the program. This timeline is shorter than typical industry benchmarks for similar small-molecule discovery efforts, reflecting efficient progression from early lead identification to preclinical candidate selection.
The program uses Evotec’s integrated discovery and preclinical platforms, which combine medicinal chemistry, DMPK (drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics), and in vitro biology within a data-driven workflow supported by AI and machine learning tools. Close coordination between discovery and development teams enabled faster iteration and consistent decision-making during candidate optimization.
The collaboration combines Evotec’s end-to-end research and development capabilities with Almirall’s expertise in dermatology. Almirall continues to focus on advancing therapies for patients with immune-mediated skin conditions, where treatment options remain limited.
Evotec will now support further development of the candidate toward Investigational New Drug (IND) submission using its INDiGO platform, which is designed to streamline the transition from preclinical research to clinical readiness.
Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer at Evotec, stated that the rapid progression to a preclinical candidate demonstrates the effectiveness of the company’s integrated, data-driven discovery approach and highlights the value of its collaboration with Almirall in advancing dermatology-focused therapies.
The partnership between Evotec and Almirall was established in May 2022 to develop novel treatments for severe skin diseases, particularly immune-mediated inflammatory conditions. Under the agreement, Evotec is eligible to receive research payments and success-based milestones of up to €230 million per program, along with royalties on future net sales.
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About the Writer
Karthik Teja Macharla, PharmD is a Pharm.D. graduate with a strong interest in clinical research, pharmacovigilance, and medical writing. In his words, he is passionate about converting complex medical information into clear, evidence-based scientific communication, committed to contributing to patient safety and advancing healthcare through accurate and impactful medical content.