Evotec subsidiary Just – Evotec Biologics has received a new grant from the Gates Foundation to enable global access to biotherapeutics utilising its molecular design suite of computational technologies, called J.MD. 

The investment continues the support for selected Gates Foundation grantees to improve the developability and reduce the cost of monoclonal antibodies to make them more affordable and accessible and prevent infectious disease in low- and middle-income countries. 

Under the grant terms, Just – Evotec Biologics will leverage its J.MD Molecular Design service – a key component of its J.DESIGN platform. The new investment will enable 10 new J.MD projects over the next three years, spanning the development of biotherapeutics targeting multiple global health disease indications of concern. 

The grant extends the commitment of Just – Evotec Biologics that began in 2014 and has since delivered multiple cGMP manufacturing campaigns for RSV, Malaria, and HIV monoclonal antibodies. 

Dr Linda Zuckerman, EVP and Global Head of Just – Evotec Biologics, commented: “We are thrilled to receive this new grant from the Gates Foundation which will strengthen our commitment to reducing the cost of biologics development to expand global access. By leveraging our J.DESIGN platform and innovative molecular design tools, we look forward to supporting the foundation in driving impactful solutions across multiple disease areas and continuing to deliver therapies where they are needed most.” 

Dr Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec, added: “We are proud to continue our collaboration with the foundation through this new grant which enables us to harness Just – Evotec Biologics’ advanced platforms and scientific expertise to support the broader research ecosystem. This partnership strengthens our shared mission to accelerate the development of biotherapeutics that address urgent and unmet medical needs.”

Diana Turner, Deputy Editor, DDW