Just – Evotec Biologics Receives Gates Foundation Grant for AI-Driven Optimization of Monoclonal Antibody Developability

Evotec SE announced that its Seattle-based subsidiary Just – Evotec Biologics has received a new grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to enable global access to biotherapeutics using its AI- and computation-driven J.MD™ Molecular Design technology suite.2 1

The grant (investment ID INV072135) will fund ten new J.MD™ projects over the next three years, focusing on optimization of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and other biologic modalities.2 3 4

These J.MD™ projects will perform molecular optimization to improve key developability attributes, including titer, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and stability, to support efficient, large-scale manufacturing.2 3

J.MD™ is part of the broader J.DESIGN™ platform, which integrates advanced computational tools (including AI/ML) with high-throughput experimental methodologies to streamline biologics design and development from the earliest stages.2 1 3

By improving manufacturability, stability, and efficacy at the design stage, the platform aims to reduce the cost of goods for monoclonal antibodies and make them more affordable and accessible, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.2 1 4

The new funding specifically targets global health disease indications, supporting biotherapeutics intended to prevent or treat infectious diseases of concern in resource-limited settings.1 2 4

This grant extends a longstanding collaboration with the Gates Foundation that began in 2014, under which Just – Evotec Biologics has already delivered multiple cGMP manufacturing campaigns for monoclonal antibodies against RSV, malaria, and HIV.2 1 4

Company leadership, including Dr. Linda Zuckerman (EVP and Global Head of Just – Evotec Biologics) and Dr. Cord Dohrmann (Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec), emphasized that the grant strengthens their mission to lower biologics development costs and expand global access to life-saving therapies.2 1

The grant is part of the Gates Foundation’s broader strategy to support selected grantees in enhancing mAb developability and reducing production costs as an infrastructure layer for equitable access to advanced biologics worldwide.2 6

Media and industry coverage note that this award is viewed as a vote of confidence in Evotec’s AI-enabled biologics platform and its role in reshaping the economic model for global health biologics.3 6

Sources:

1. https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/just-evotec-biologics-receives-grant-for-ai-driven-optimization-of-monoclonal-antibody-developability-for-affordable-access-16915

2. https://www.evotec.com/news/just-evotec-biologics-receives-grant-for-ai-driven-optimization-of-monoclonal-antibody-developability-for-affordable-access

3. https://www.webdisclosure.com/article/evotec-ag-nasdaq-evtcy-just-evotec-biologics-secures-grant-for-ai-in-monoclonal-antibody-development-RfyD7A6GOsU

4. https://pharmasource.global/content/news/cdmo-news/just-evotec-biologics-secures-gates-foundation-grant-for-j-md-biotherapeutics-platform/

6. https://www.ainvest.com/news/evotec-ai-biologics-platform-infrastructure-layer-global-health-paradigm-2601/

Sources:

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