Galapagos receives ?1.6 million IWT grant for hepatitis B program
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Mechelen, Belgium; 11 February 2015 - Galapagos NV (Euronext:
GLPG) announces that the Flemish Agency for Innovation through Science and
Technology (IWT) has awarded a ?1.6 million grant to support the development of
new antiviral therapies against hepatitis B, in a collaboration project with
Prof. Johan Neyts of the Rega Institute of the University of Leuven and Prof.
Stephan Urban of the University Hospital in Heidelberg.
The goal of the project is to identify novel compounds and targets with the
potential to cure chronic hepatitis B infection, allowing patients to come off
current life-long therapy. Research will focus on compounds against viral
protein targets and on inhibitors of host cell proteins. Galapagos will use its
proprietary target and drug discovery platform to identify novel modes of action
and screen for candidate drugs. The Rega and Heidelberg sites will contribute
to the development of assays, perform analysis of the mechanism of action of
drug candidates, and bring in expertise of the virus and its life cycle to
accelerate the progression of drug development.
"Chronic hepatitis B is a disease area with significant unmet medical need, and
where Galapagos and its academic partners can bring unique expertise to bear on
finding new therapies," said Dr Piet Wigerinck, Chief Scientific Officer of
Galapagos.
"It would be an enormous advance if patients could be cured of their chronic HBV
infection" said Prof. Johan Neyts, virologist at the University of Leuven.
About chronic hepatitis B
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a member of the Hepadnavirus family of small DNA
viruses, which are adapted to infect specifically the livers of different
species. In adults HBV infections are typically acute and self-resolving;
however in 5-10% of cases they can become chronic. In children and infants this
rate becomes significantly higher (up to 90%). In chronic infection, the virus
establishes itself in the liver of the host and over time leads to progressively
more severe pathology, including eventually cirrhosis, and, in a proportion of
cases, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The proven link between HBV and HCC makes
the virus one of the most significant known carcinogens.
The disease is a significant burden to world health, with approximately 350
million chronic sufferers worldwide, and around 650,000 deaths per year
attributed to the effects of chronic HBV infection such as HCC. Treatments
currently employed for HBV include prophylactics such as vaccines to prevent
infection or therapeutics to treat established chronic infection. However, so
far no therapeutic vaccines have been developed, and drugs such as nucleosides
which are highly effective at reducing viral load in patients do not result in
functional cures in the majority of cases, even after years of therapy.
Interferon therapy can give rise to functional cure in a small proportion of
patients, however, the treatment is poorly tolerated. Because of these issues
new treatments are required, and it is likely that combination approaches like
those taken with the hepatitis C virus will be key to establish functional cures
in HBV.
About IWT
The agency for Innovation by Science and Technology (abbreviated as IWT) is the
government agency founded in 1991 by the Flemish Government to support
technological innovation projects in Flanders. Each year IWT distributes about
?300 million in subsidies for innovation projects to companies, organizations,
research and educational institutions in Flanders. In addition to financial
support, IWT also assists companies by, for instance helping them find the right
information or the right partners at home or abroad, providing assistance with
the preparation of projects for European programmes and with technology transfer
throughout Europe. IWT also has an important coordination mandate aimed at
promoting close cooperation among all the actors involved in technological
innovation in Flanders. For more information, please visit http://www.iwt.be or
call +32 2 432 42 00.
About Galapagos
Galapagos (Euronext: GLPG; OTC: GLPYY) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company
specialized in the discovery and development of small molecule medicines with
novel modes of action, with a pipeline comprising three Phase 2 programs, two
Phase 1 trials, five pre-clinical studies, and 25 discovery small-molecule and
antibody programs in cystic fibrosis, inflammation, and other indications. In
the field of inflammation, AbbVie and Galapagos signed a collaboration agreement
for the development and commercialization of GLPG0634. GLPG0634 is an orally-
available, selective inhibitor of JAK1 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
and potentially other inflammatory diseases, currently in Phase 2b studies in RA
and in Phase 2 in Crohn's disease. GLPG1205, a first-in-class inhibitor of
GPR84, is currently being tested in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial in
ulcerative colitis patients. GLPG1690 is a compound that targets pulmonary
diseases and is currently in a Phase 1 trial. AbbVie and Galapagos also signed
a collaboration agreement in cystic fibrosis to develop and commercialize
molecules that address mutations in the CFTR gene. Potentiator GLPG1837 is
currently in a Phase 1 trial, and corrector GLPG2222 is at the pre-clinical
candidate stage. The Galapagos Group, including fee-for-service subsidiary
Fidelta, has approximately 400 employees, operating from its Mechelen, Belgium
headquarters and facilities in The Netherlands, France, and Croatia. Further
information at: www.glpg.com
CONTACT
Galapagos NV
Elizabeth Goodwin, Head of Corporate Communications & IR
Tel: +31 6 2291 6240
ir(at)glpg.com
Galapagos forward-looking statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements, including, without
limitation, statements concerning anticipated progress, objectives and
expectations regarding the commercial potential of our product candidates,
intended product development, clinical activity timing, and other objectives and
explanations, all of which involve certain risks and uncertainties. These
statements are often, but are not always, made through the use of words or
phrases such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans,"
"seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "could," "stands to," "continues," "we
believe," "we intend," 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. Among the
factors that may result in differences are the inherent uncertainties associated
with competitive developments, clinical trial and product development
activities, regulatory approval requirements and estimating the commercial
potential of our product candidates. 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.
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(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Galapagos NV via GlobeNewswire
[HUG#1893438]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 11.02.2015 - 07:30 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 370704
Anzahl Zeichen: 9048
contact information:
Town:
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Kategorie:
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