Cologne were on the ropes at their Rhein Energie Stadium as goals by Patrik Schick and Karim Bellarabi saw Leverkusen race into a 2-0 lead after just 17 minutes. Leverkusen had won the three previous Rhineland derbies, but Cologne pulled a goal back when Modeste, 33, fired home unmarked with 62 minutes gone.
Modeste then equalised with a header eight minutes from time to gain a share the points. The result leaves Leverkusen fourth in the table, five points behind leaders Bayern Munich, who ran riot in a 4-0 home win over Hoffenheim on Saturday. Cologne are eighth after bouncing back from last weekend's 5-0 hammering at Hoffenheim.