Galapagos Expands Strategic Alliance in Metabolic Disease with Merck & Co., Inc.
Galapagos to discover small molecule candidate drugs for
pre-clinical development in atherosclerosis
Total alliance milestones more than double to over €400
million, plus royalties on worldwide sales
Mechelen, Belgium 14 October 2009 - Galapagos
NV (Euronext: GLPG) announced today that it has
expanded its global strategic alliance in metabolic diseases with
an affiliate of Merck & Co., Inc
to incorporate the development of new therapies for
atherosclerosis.
Galapagos will be responsible for the discovery and pre-clinical
development of new small molecule candidate drugs based on novel
Galapagos targets. The alliance will make use of Galapagos'
proprietary target discovery platform for identification of novel
targets in atherosclerosis, as well as in obesity and
diabetes. After validation, targets will be selected by a
joint steering committee and entered into screening and chemistry
by Galapagos. Merck will have an exclusive option to license
in each candidate for clinical development and commercialization on
a worldwide basis. Upon exercise of such option, Merck will
be responsible for the development and commercialization of the
candidate drug. Galapagos may execute Phase I clinical
studies and will have the right to further develop and
commercialize certain compounds for which Merck does not exercise
its exclusive option.
In January 2009, Galapagos announced an alliance with Merck in
diabetes and obesity, with milestone payments with the potential to
exceed €170 million. Under the terms of this expanded
agreement, that now includes small molecule candidate drugs for
pre-clinical development in atherosclerosis, Galapagos is eligible
to receive research, regulatory and sales milestone payments that
may total in excess of €400 million. In addition Galapagos is
eligible to receive royalties upon commercialization of any
products covered under the agreement.
The expansion announced today is separate from Galapagos' alliance
with Merck in inflammatory diseases announced in April 2009.
"We are pleased to expand our relationship with Merck, a highly
synergetic and decisive partner in the metabolic and inflammation
alliances," said Onno van de Stolpe, CEO. "Today's expansion
into atherosclerosis fits very well into our strategy of leveraging
the novelty coming out of Galapagos' R&D approach."
"Merck's extended collaboration with Galapagos underscores our
ongoing commitment to identifying novel therapeutic targets for
fighting cardiovascular and metabolic diseases," said Catherine
Strader, Vice President, External Basic Research, Merck Research
Laboratories.
About atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis, commonly referred to as hardening of the arteries,
involves the thickening of the artery walls as a result of the
build-up of fatty materials such as cholesterol.
Atherosclerosis is considered the most common underlying cause of
strokes, heart attacks, and most cardiovascular diseases in
general, including congestive heart failure. Treatment
includes lifestyle changes and medicines. Global sales of
cardiovascular drugs exceeded $95 billion in 2008, making it the
largest therapeutic area worldwide. Current research is
focused on reducing side effects and costs for new atherosclerosis
therapies.
About Galapagos
Galapagos (Euronext: GLPG; OTC: GLPYY) is a drug discovery and
development company with small molecule programs in bone and joint
diseases, bone metastasis, cachexia, anti-infectives,
atherosclerosis, and metabolic diseases. It has established
risk sharing alliances with GSK, Janssen
Pharmaceutica, Eli Lilly
and Merck & Co., Inc. Through an alliance
with MorphoSys, Galapagos is also
developing new antibody therapies in bone and joint diseases.
Its division BioFocus offers a full suite of target-to-drug
discovery products and services to pharmaceutical and biotech
companies and to patient foundations, encompassing target discovery
and validation, screening and drug discovery through to delivery of
pre-clinical candidates. Galapagos currently employs 495
people and operates facilities in six countries, with global
headquarters in Mechelen, Belgium. More info at: www.glpg.com
CONTACT
Galapagos NV
Onno van de Stolpe, CEO
Tel: +31 6 2909 8028
ir@glpg.com
This release may contain forward-looking statements, including,
without limitation, statements containing the words "believes,"
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"may," "will," "could," "stands to," and "continues," as well as
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unless required by law or regulation.
Posted: October 2009
