Bayer Pharma and Evotec have entered into a 5-year partnership aimed at developing three clinical candidates for the treatment of endometriosis. Both companies will contribute drug targets and will be jointly responsible for early research and preclinical characterisation. Bayer will then undertake any subsequent clinical development and commercialisation. Bayer already markets the progesterone receptor agonist Visanne® (dienogest) for the treatment of endometriosis and the deal could help strengthen the company’s women’s healthcare business in the long term.