Galapagos and University of Bristol enter drug discovery collaboration in chronic pain
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Mechelen, Belgium and Bristol, UK; 16 July 2010 - Galapagos NV (Euronext: GLPG)
and the University of Bristol today announced a new drug discovery collaboration
aimed at developing treatments for chronic pain associated with diabetes
(diabetic neuropathic pain). Galapagos' service division BioFocus will provide
hit-to-lead and lead optimization services for a Wellcome Trust funded program
at the University of Bristol. Total contract value for Galapagos could exceed
?3.3 million in research fees over two years.
This work is supported by a Seeding Drug Discovery Award from the Wellcome
Trust, to a team of researchers led by David Wynick, Professor of Molecular
Medicine at the University of Bristol. The project aims to develop a new
analgesic drug based on the protein galanin, a small protein that has been shown
to reduce neuropathic pain in a number of models of diseases, including
diabetes. In earlier studies, several compounds from the BioFocus screening
collection were shown to amplify the therapeutic effect of galanin in vitro. In
the two-year collaboration announced today, BioFocus will provide medicinal
chemistry, biology and ADME/PK for this research project, with the goal to
optimize these molecules for the treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain.
"This latest collaboration with the University of Bristol is a prime example of
BioFocus' ability to deliver results and thereby retain partners. Once again we
see the BioFocus screening libraries deliver promising hits that are of interest
to the academic and pharmaceutical communities," said Onno van de Stolpe, CEO of
Galapagos. "We are pleased that the University of Bristol has expanded and
extended this successful relationship into other strong areas of BioFocus
expertise."
"Molecules from the BioFocus collection have shown promise in amplifying the
therapeutic properties of galanin in models of neuropathic pain," said Prof.
David Wynick from the University of Bristol. "In this new collaboration with
BioFocus, we aim to further optimize these molecules into potential clinical
candidates for the treatment of chronic pain associated with diseases such as
diabetes."
Rick Davis, Business Development Manager at the Wellcome Trust, commented
"Existing painkillers can prove largely ineffective against neuropathic pain so
we are pleased to support this project, which addresses an area of huge unmet
clinical need."
About diabetic neuropathic pain
Diabetes is the most common cause of neuropathic pain, which is often
experienced as a burning or electrical pain. Existing painkillers have proven
largely ineffective in treating diabetic neuropathic pain, which is believed to
be caused by damaged nerves as a result of exposure to toxins or inadequate
blood supply. The World Diabetes Foundation predicts that the population of
diabetes sufferers will increase from 285 million in 2010 to 438 million by
2030, given the increasing levels of obesity.
About the University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is one of the leading research universities in the UK,
having an excellent national and international reputation in research, teaching
and global discovery. The University is committed to combining its excellence in
research and innovation with a vibrant enterprise culture and is working with
government, industry and other partner organisations to encourage the growth of
knowledge-based business in South West England. More info at:www.bris.ac.uk
About the Wellcome Trust
The Wellcome Trust is a global charity dedicated to achieving extraordinary
improvements in human and animal health. It supports the brightest minds in
biomedical research and the medical humanities. The Trust's breadth of support
includes public engagement, education and the application of research to improve
health. It is independent of both political and commercial interests. More info
at:www.wellcome.ac.uk
About BioFocus
BioFocusaims to expand its partners' drug pipelines by accelerating the
gene-to-drug candidate discovery process. This is achieved through a
comprehensive discovery platform, which includes target discovery in human
primary cells, focused as well as diverse compound libraries, in vitro and
cell-based screening, structural biology, medicinal chemistry, ADME/PK services,
supported by unique chemogenomic and informatics tools, and compound library
acquisition, storage and distribution services. As a service division of
Galapagos, BioFocus has over 250 employees based in the UK, the US and
Switzerland. More info at: www.biofocus.com
About Galapagos
Galapagos (Euronext: GLPG; OTC: GLPYY) is a mid-size biotechnology company
specialized in the discovery and development of small molecule and antibody
therapies with novel modes-of-action. The Company is progressing one of the
largest pipelines in biotech, with four clinical and over 50 small molecule
discovery/pre-clinical programs. Through risk/reward-sharing alliances with
GlaxoSmithKline, Eli Lilly, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Merck & Co., Roche and
Servier, Galapagos is eligible to receive ?3.3 billion in downstream milestones,
plus royalties. 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. More info at: www.glpg.com
CONTACTS
Galapagos NV
Kara Bortone, Associate Director Communications
Tel: +32 479 99 46 34
ir(at)glpg.com
University of Bristol
Aliya Mughal, Public Relations Office
Tel: +44 117 331 7033
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"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
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Datum: 16.07.2010 - 07:31 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
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