Dosing of first patient initiates Phase 1 clinical evaluation of BMS-986506 for the treatment of advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the most common form of kidney cancer
Transformative moment in strategic protein degradation collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) aiming to establish new treatment paradigm in advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Study start highlights transition into the clinic for Evotec-BMS oncology platform and reflects robust pipeline of ‘molecular glues’ being advanced as treatment options for different cancer types
Validates Evotec’s high-performance multi-omics screening and AI-supported data analytics and drug design capabilities
HAMBURG, DE / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2026 / Evotec SE (NASDAQ:EVO)(Frankfurt Prime Standard:EVT) today announced that its partner Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) has initiated a Phase 1 clinical study evaluating CELMoD agent BMS-986506, a cereblon E3 ligase modulator, in clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the most common form of kidney cancer.
Initiation of the first‑in‑human study represents a significant advancement in the strategic protein degradation collaboration, bringing into the clinic a novel CELMoD or ‘molecular glue’ candidate jointly generated through Evotec’s powerful and fully integrated drug discovery platform. This platform combines high-performance multi-omics screening with AI-enabled data analytics and drug design capabilities, selectively prompting cancer cells to eliminate disease‑driving proteins. As a result of this clinical progression, Evotec will receive a milestone payment of $10 million.
Dr. Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec said:
“In this unique collaboration, we follow a systematic approach to discovering molecular glues with tremendous therapeutic potential. Together with Bristol Myers Squibb, and building on Evotec’s PanOmics and PanHunter platforms, we have identified a broad portfolio of high-potential molecular glue drug candidates that are now beginning to enter clinical development. The initiation of this Phase 1 clinical trial marks the first clinical milestone in the strategic protein degradation partnership with BMS. Molecular glues have the potential to address significant unmet medical need not only in oncology, but far beyond, by targeting previously undruggable, disease-causing proteins and thereby aiming to reshape future standards of care.”
BMS-986506 was developed under the strategic protein degradation partnership between Evotec and Bristol Myers Squibb. The collaboration combines PanOmics, Evotec’s high-performance multi-omics screening platform as well as PanHunter, Evotec’s AI-supported data omics analytics platform with BMS’s industry-leading library of CELMoDs™ agents. Initiated in 2018 and expanded in 2022, the collaboration is continuing to deliver on its goal to identify novel molecular glue degraders for high-value targets in the field of oncology and beyond.
About Molecular Glue Degraders
Conventional small molecule therapeutics work via a drug-induced interference with a protein activity. This limitation to agonistic or antagonistic functions renders about 90% of proteins “undruggable”. Conventional small molecules only work while they are actively binding to the receptor, which typically requires a treatment regimen consisting of one or even several carefully dosed medications every day.
Molecular glue degraders are compounds that induce interactions between an E3 ubiquitin ligase and a molecular target. The induced interaction results in ubiquitination and degradation of the recruited protein. This event-driven mechanism of action significantly expands the range of the druggable proteome. The molecular glue is not degraded in the process and can trigger the degradation process many times over, thus leading to longer-lasting therapeutic effects.
About Evotec’s Strategic Collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb in Molecular Glues
In 2018, Evotec entered a long-term strategic drug discovery and development collaboration in the field of molecular glues with Celgene, now Bristol Myers Squibb. BMS is a leader in this field based on its unique library of CELMoDs™ agents. The collaboration aims to discover and develop a leading pipeline of molecular glue degraders for a range of therapeutic indications leveraging all of Evotec’s proprietary PanOmics and PanHunter platforms as well as AI/ML-based drug discovery and development capabilities.
Evotec applies high-end proteomics and transcriptomics at industrial scale to profile and select promising drug candidates based on comprehensive cell biological profiles. Evotec’s leading PanOmics screening capabilities are delivering unmatched throughput. The selection of the most promising candidates for drug development is facilitated by Evotec’s PanOmics data analysis platform PanHunter. It supports the integration and analysis of these data sets and thereby enables the selection of the most promising CELMoDs™ for further progression into lead optimization.
About Evotec SE
Evotec is a life science company that is pioneering the future of drug discovery and development. By integrating breakthrough science with AI-driven innovation and advanced technologies, we accelerate the journey from concept to cure – faster, smarter, and with greater precision. Our expertise spans small molecules, biologics, cell therapies and associated modalities, supported by proprietary platforms such as Molecular Patient Databases, PanOmics and iPSC-based disease modeling. With flexible partnering models tailored to our customers’ needs, we work with all Top 20 Pharma companies, over 800 biotechs, academic institutions, and healthcare stakeholders. Our offerings range from standalone services to fully integrated R&D programs and long-term strategic partnerships, combining scientific excellence with operational agility. Through Just – Evotec Biologics, we redefine biologics development and manufacturing to improve accessibility and affordability. With a strong portfolio of over 100 proprietary R&D assets, most of them being co-owned, we focus on key therapeutic areas including oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neurology, and immunology. Evotec’s global team of more than 4,800 experts operates from sites in Europe and the U.S., offering complementary technologies and services as synergistic centers of excellence. Learn more at http://www.evotec.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X/Twitter @Evotec.
Forward-looking statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements concerning future events, including the proposed offering and listing of Evotec’s securities. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “should,” “target,” “would” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include comments regarding Evotec’s expectations for revenues, Group EBITDA and unpartnered R&D expenses. These forward-looking statements are based on the information available to, and the expectations and assumptions deemed reasonable by Evotec at the time these statements were made. No assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates, which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of Evotec. Evotec expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Evotec’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
Investor Relations and Media Contact
Dr. Sarah Fakih
EVP Head of Global Communications & Investor Relations
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SOURCE: Evotec SE
