Evogene partners with Tel Aviv University to develop metabolic disease treatments

REHOVOT, Israel - Evogene Ltd. (NASDAQ:EVGN, TASE:EVGN), a computational biology company with a market capitalization of $10.7 million, announced Tuesday a scientific collaboration with Professor Ehud Gazit’s research group at Tel Aviv University to develop novel therapeutics for diseases caused by metabolite self-assembly. According to InvestingPro data, the company maintains a strong balance sheet with more cash than debt, though it faces significant cash burn challenges.

The partnership aims to address conditions where metabolite accumulation leads to pathological aggregates, including Tyrosinemia, Gout, and Maple Syrup Urine Disease. These disorders occur when impaired metabolic breakdown causes molecules to form harmful structures. With revenue of $6.76 million in the last twelve months and a declining growth rate of -26.4%, the company is pursuing strategic collaborations to advance its therapeutic pipeline.

The collaboration combines Evogene’s ChemPass AI computational platform for molecular design with Professor Gazit’s expertise in biological molecule self-organization. Gazit’s previous discovery that short peptides and metabolites can form amyloid-like nano-fibrils provides critical insights into disease mechanisms.

"For more than a decade, our research has revealed how small metabolites can self-assemble into amyloid-like structures that contribute to the pathology of numerous rare and common diseases," said Professor Gazit in the press release.

The joint effort will use ChemPass AI’s algorithms to understand therapeutic intervention mechanisms in metabolite self-assembly and design novel molecules with specific therapeutic properties.

Dr. Gabi Tarcic, Evogene’s VP Product, described the collaboration as "a significant milestone" in the company’s efforts to address complex medical challenges through computational chemistry and AI.

The agreement was facilitated by Ramot, Tel Aviv University’s technology transfer company. No financial details of the collaboration were disclosed.

Evogene specializes in computational biology and chemistry, using artificial intelligence to develop life-science products through its three technology engines: MicroBoost AI, ChemPass AI, and GeneRator AI. For deeper insights into Evogene’s financial health and growth potential, InvestingPro subscribers can access comprehensive analysis, including 8 additional ProTips and detailed financial metrics that help evaluate biotech investments.

In other recent news, Evogene Ltd. reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, revealing a narrower-than-expected loss. The company posted an earnings per share of -$0.38, which surpassed analysts’ expectations of -$0.73. However, revenue for the quarter was $2.4 million, which did not meet the anticipated $4 million. In addition to financial results, Lake Street Capital Markets adjusted its outlook for Evogene by reducing the price target from $5.00 to $3.50, while maintaining a Buy rating. The revision was influenced by potential catalysts from Evogene’s Casterra division. Analyst Ben Klieve highlighted the likelihood of a follow-on order from Eni, a significant energy partner, which could occur in late 2025 or early 2026. These developments reflect ongoing strategic movements within the company.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.