Just – Evotec Biologics Partners with DoD for Accelerated mAb Solutions

• Evotec SE’s subsidiary Just – Evotec Biologics, Inc., awarded up to $39 million by the U.S. Department of Defense.

• The program aims to significantly decrease the development and manufacturing time for monoclonal antibodies.

Evotec SE’s Seattle-based subsidiary, Just – Evotec Biologics, Inc., has been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to develop an accelerated monoclonal antibody (mAb) development and manufacturing solution. This initiative is part of the DoD’s Manufacturing Optimization Program and is valued at up to $39 million.

The multi-year program aims to enhance the U.S. Government’s rapid response capabilities for biologics medical countermeasures (MCMs). Just – Evotec Biologics will focus on decreasing the time required for development, manufacturing, and regulatory efforts related to mAbs. The goal is to speed up the delivery of the first clinical doses while ensuring high quality, productivity, and safety.

The project will involve developing and testing process optimization, improving efficiencies in cGMP manufacturing and drug product release, and enhancing operational workflows. The program will conclude with rapid response exercises, starting with a DoD-identified MCM antibody sequence and ending with the manufacturing of clinical doses.

Just – Evotec Biologics’ optimized manufacturing solution will integrate into the U.S. Government’s rapid emergency response system, aiming for a 100-calendar day timeline from pathogen identification to dose fielding.

Dr. Linda Zuckerman, Executive Vice President and Global Head Biotherapeutics at Just – Evotec Biologics, stated, “We are proud to be selected to provide our expertise and technologies in support of this important program. We are excited to push our current end-to-end biologics development platform and partner with the DoD to bring ‘next level’ development of fast, high quality, cost efficient mAbs to the clinic.”

Previous contracts awarded to Just – Evotec Biologics by the DoD include projects for COVID-19 and Accelerated Antibodies focusing on mAb therapies for Plague and Orthopoxviruses.