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Evotec SE
Evotec SE is a publicly traded drug discovery firm run by CEO Werner Lanthaler, with AI-driven platforms and partnerships across Europe and North America.
Evotec SE
Evotec SE was founded in 1993 by a team of scientists and has grown into a publicly traded company on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, with Werner Lanthaler as CEO since 2007. The firm's wealth origin is tied to its public equity issuance and operational revenue, not a single family fortune. Evotec's strategy centers on drug discovery and development, spanning small molecules, biologics, and gene therapies. The firm operates through joint ventures and partnerships, including a 2022 collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb to develop new therapies (per Evotec, 2022) and a 2021 alliance with Novo Nordisk for diabetes treatments (per Evotec, 2021). Geographic footprint includes offices in Hamburg, Germany, Pasadena and Palo Alto, California, Houston, Texas, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Mississauga, Canada. Evotec employs over 4,000 professionals across its global offices, with a team of scientists, data analysts, and business development managers. The firm has established an AI/ML platform, Evotec Ai, to enhance drug discovery efficiency. In 2023, Evotec launched a partnership with the Helmut Horten Foundation for neurodegenerative disease research (per Evotec, 2023). A structural differentiator is Evotec's hybrid model as a publicly traded company with service-based and co-development partnerships, rather than a venture capital or private equity fund. This allows it to access public markets for capital while maintaining operational focus on R&D collaborations, with a governance structure overseen by a board of directors and shareholders.
General information
Firm type
Asset Manager
Year founded
1993
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
Europe
Country
Germany
City
Hamburg
Corporate office
Hamburg, Germany
Additional offices
Pasadena, CA, United States · Palo Alto, CA, United States · Houston, TX, United States · Cambridge, MA, United States · Mississauga, ON, Canada
Principals
Werner Lanthaler
Chief Executive Officer
Mario Polywka
Chief Operating Officer
Enno Spillner
Chief Financial Officer
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Evotec SE?
CEO Werner Lanthaler leads overall strategy, with investment decisions guided by an executive board and scientific advisory team. The firm's publicly traded status means major financial moves require shareholder approval, distinct from a private family office.
How does Evotec SE source proprietary deal flow?
Evotec sources deals through its internal business development team and scientific network, focusing on joint ventures and partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and biotech startups. The firm leverages its AI platform, Evotec Ai, to identify and validate therapeutic targets (per Evotec, 2023).
Is Evotec SE structured as a single family office or does it operate more like a venture firm?
Evotec SE is a publicly traded biotechnology company, not a family office. It operates as a drug discovery and development firm with a service-based and partnership revenue model, publicly listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Does Evotec SE participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
Evotec primarily engages in direct deals through joint ventures and service agreements, rather than committing to external funds. It has established partnerships with major pharmaceutical firms like Bristol Myers Squibb and Novo Nordisk (per Evotec, 2022; 2021).
What investment stages does Evotec SE typically target?
Evotec focuses on preclinical and clinical-stage drug development, from target identification through Phase II trials. The firm collaborates on early-stage research and later-stage partnerships, depending on the partner's needs.
How is Evotec SE related to its spinouts or related vehicles?
Evotec has spun out several ventures, including in 2021 a joint venture with the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf for cell therapy research (per Evotec, 2021). These spinouts are typically structured as independent entities with Evotec holding equity stakes.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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