Galapagos and Roche expand COPD alliance
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Mechelen, Belgium; 11 May 2010 - Galapagos NV (Euronext: GLPG) announced today
that it has expanded its global multi-year strategic alliance with Roche (SIX:
RO, ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY) to develop potential new therapies in COPD (chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease). The partners have increased the number of
antibody targets in the alliance. In addition, these targets can now also be
used as starting points for molecules consisting of nucleic acids and/or amino
acids. As such, the scope of molecules subject to this alliance could
potentially include also peptides, siRNA and other nucleic acids.
Galapagos and Roche started their strategic alliance in COPD in January 2010.
Galapagos is applying its target discovery platform to discover novel COPD
targets and is responsible for the discovery and development of new small
molecule candidate drugs against these targets. Roche has an exclusive option
to license each small molecule program after either clinical candidate selection
or completion of Phase I clinical trials. In addition, Roche has an exclusive
option to license the COPD targets for the discovery and development of
antibodies against these targets. Upon exercise of each option, Roche will be
responsible for the further (pre)clinical development and commercialization.
Galapagos received a research access payment of ?6 million from Roche upon
signature of the alliance. The alliance expansion announced today has the
potential to increase the total value of milestone payments Galapagos receives
under this agreement by ?150 million.
"We've made a good start in the alliance with Roche," said Onno van de Stolpe,
CEO of Galapagos. "This is the fourth alliance that has been expanded upon the
request of our pharma partners and we are particularly pleased that Roche sees
the potential of our target discovery platform to identify new antibody drug
targets. This expansion increases the chances of the alliance delivering a
therapeutic molecule for the treatment of COPD."
About COPD
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a chronic lung disease
characterized by difficulty breathing and persistent coughing. COPD includes
the diseases commonly referred to as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The
primary causes of COPD are tobacco smoke and air pollution, which damage and
irritate lung tissue, resulting in a narrowing of the airways.
COPD affects approximately 210 million people worldwide, with more than 5
million people dying of the disease each year. This number is expected to
increase by more than 30% in the next ten years, due to an increase in tobacco
use worldwide. Although the disease symptoms are manageable through the use of
drug and oxygen therapy, there is currently no cure for COPD.
About Galapagos
Galapagos
discovery and development company with small molecule programs in bone and joint
diseases, bone metastasis, cachexia, anti-infectives and metabolic diseases. It
has established risk sharing alliances with GlaxoSmithKline, Eli Lilly, Merck &
Co. and Roche. Through an alliance with MorphoSys, Galapagos is also developing
new antibody therapies in bone and joint diseases. Together with its BioFocus
and Argenta service operations, Galapagos has over 670 employees and operates
facilities in six countries, with global headquarters in Mechelen, Belgium. For
more information: www.glpg.com
CONTACT
Galapagos NV
Onno van de Stolpe, CEO
Tel: +31 6 2909 8028
ir(at)glpg.com
Elizabeth Goodwin, Director Investor Relations
Tel: +31 6 2291 6240
ir(at)glpg.com
This release may contain forward-looking statements, including, without
limitation, statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates,"
"expects," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "could,"
"stands to," and "continues," as well as similar expressions. Such
forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors which might cause the actual results, financial condition,
performance or achievements of Galapagos, or industry results, to be materially
different from any historic or future results, financial conditions, performance
or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given
these uncertainties, the reader is advised not to place any undue reliance on
such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as
of the date of publication of this document. Galapagos expressly disclaims any
obligation to update any such forward-looking statements in this document to
reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in
events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless
required by law or regulation.
[HUG#1414463]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 11.05.2010 - 07:31 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 20626
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