Evotec Biotech Company Attacked by Cybercriminals
Evotec, a biotech company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, has announced that it has experienced a cyberattack that forced it to disconnect its digital network at the end of last week. According to an official statement, the company was prompted to disconnect its infrastructure after detecting unusual activity in its IT systems on 6 April. Although the company’s operations are still supported, the systems remain disconnected, which could cause some delays in communication with its partners.
Evotec collaborates with other companies, scientists, venture capitalists, and organizations that defend the interests of patients around the world in developing drugs. With its market capitalization amounting to more than 7.5 billion euros at the end of 2021, Evotec is currently one of the most influential companies in this area. It has established more than 130 partnerships involved in detecting, developing, and testing new drugs.
Just a week before the attack, Evotec informed investors and partners that it was “ahead of the curve” in its results for the entire 2022, recording an increase in the group’s income by 22% compared to 2021. With positive market confidence, the biotech company had established favorable partnerships with several organizations to advance its research. The motive for the attack is currently unknown, but its significant impact on the company is evident.
Cybercriminal attacks targeting organizations connected with human health and protection are becoming increasingly frequent. According to an American government report for 2021, nearly a quarter of all cyberattacks in the United States in 2020 were directed at the healthcare industry. In March 2021, the Killnet hacker group attacked many American hospitals and other organizations in the industry. However, this attack on Evotec appears to be more targeted and could be tied to the company’s successful performance.
Evotec has notified all relevant authorities about the incident, and an investigation is currently underway to identify the source and extinguish the threat. The extent of the damage and the cybercriminals responsible for it remain unclear at this time.