Re Agreement

Evolutec Group PLC 12 October 2006 12 October 2006 EVOLUTEC GROUP PLC ('Evolutec' or the 'Company') Agreement signed with Wacker biotech to develop a commercial manufacturing process for rEV576 Clinical Trials Expected to Commence in 2007 Evolutec Group plc (AIM: EVC), the biopharmaceutical company developing novel products for the treatment of allergic, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with Wacker Biotech GmbH ('Wacker Biotech') to produce rEV576, Evolutec's second product development candidate, in preparation for clinical trials which are expected to commence in 2007. The agreement follows a successful feasibility study in which Wacker Biotech demonstrated that its proprietary secretion technology enabled the production of rEV576 in E. coli. The agreement includes process development work leading to a robust scaleable method for the production of current Good Manufacturing Practice ('cGMP') grade rEV576. This material is required for the intended clinical trials. The agreement then provides for Wacker Biotech to scale-up the cGMP process. rEV576 is a complement inhibitor and has demonstrated preclinical activity against the autoimmune diseases myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Promising preclinical activity has also been seen in asthma. Mark Carnegie Brown, Evolutec's Chief Executive Officer, commented: 'Promising preclinical data and progress made by Wacker Biotech points to the commercial potential of rEV576. We look forward to maintaining this momentum in the development programme.' Dr. Thomas Maier, Managing Director of Wacker Biotech, commented: 'We are pleased to be working with Evolutec and using our proprietary secretion technology in the development of rEV576.' ENDS For further information: Evolutec 0118 922 4480 Mark Carnegie Brown, Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Badman, Chief Financial Officer www.evolutec.co.uk Financial Dynamics 020 7831 3113 Ben Brewerton / Nicola Daley Notes for Editors: About Evolutec Evolutec, which is based in Reading, UK, is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with a focus on allergy, inflammation and autoimmune diseases. The Company has completed a positive 112 patient proof of concept Phase IIa clinical trial with rEV131, its lead product development candidate, in allergic rhinitis. rEV131 met the primary endpoint of reducing the sum of symptom scores at statistically significant levels within 45 minutes of administration. This product candidate is now in a Phase IIb allergic rhinitis trial and a Phase II post-cataract inflammation trial. In addition to these trials, Evolutec also intends to complete a proof of concept Phase II trial in dry eye in 2007. Following positive preclinical data, Evolutec intends to undertake a Phase I trial with rEV131 in asthma in 2007. The Company has a further two product development candidates in preclinical development: rEV576, a complement inhibitor, and rEV598, which binds serotonin and histamine. rEV576 has demonstrated preclinical activity against the autoimmune diseases myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barre Syndrome, asthma and acute myocardial infarction ('AMI') (heart attack). Evolutec has established a research collaboration with Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, to undertake further preclinical work with rEV576 in myasthenia gravis. rEV598 is being evaluated in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). The rights to Evolutec's vaccine technology for animals are partnered with Merial. Merial is currently undertaking work in tick-borne diseases. Evolutec is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and develops therapeutics originally isolated from the saliva of ticks. The tick remains undetected by its hosts, including humans, by injecting an array of molecules into the skin that suppresses host immunity. These stealth molecules have undergone millions of years of natural evolution to select a promising efficacy, potency and safety profile. Evolutec employs the tick's evolutionary stealth technology to offer the potential of treating human diseases. About Wacker Biotech Wacker Biotech is an experienced full-service contract manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals derived from microbial systems. Wacker Biotech's proprietary E. coli secretion system is a well-established technology for cost-efficient production of proteins and antibody fragments. The core of the technology is Wacker Biotech's proprietary E. coli K12 strain, which is capable of secreting recombinant proteins in their native form into the fermentation broth during cultivation. Extracellular production facilitates straightforward purification of recombinant products, eliminates tedious refolding steps and makes the whole manufacturing process more efficient and cost effective. Safe Harbour statement: this news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect the current expectations of the Company regarding future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors including the success of the Company's research strategies, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the successful integration of completed mergers and acquisitions and achievement of expected synergies from such tractions, and the ability of the Company to identify and consummate suitable strategic and business combination transactions. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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