MECHELEN, BELGIUM and HARLOW, UK--(Marketwire - October 04, 2010) -
· Galapagos’ affiliate, Argenta, to develop candidate drugs based on multiple oncology targets · Largest deal so far for Argenta · Initial phase includes research funding and success-based milestones over five years · Option to further extend to 15 oncology target programs
Galapagos NV (Euronext: GLPG) announced today that its affiliate, Argenta Discovery 2009 Limited, has entered into a drug discovery service agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. (Janssen), aimed at delivering novel cancer drug candidates. Argenta will provide medicinal chemistry and biology for a number of Janssen oncology targets. The total contract value for Galapagos for the initial phase of the collaboration could exceed EUR33.5 M over a five-year period pending the achievement of certain milestones.
This fully integrated drug discovery service agreement calls for Argenta to perform hit-to-lead and lead optimization for a number of Janssen oncology targets, and also activities up to pre-clinical candidate selection. Janssen retains the option to extend the services beyond the initial set of targets, up to a total of 15 targets.
“We are seeing an increased demand for longer term, integrated deals in our services business, which access a variety of our drug discovery capabilities and with Argenta’s strong track record of delivering on integrated drug discovery programs, we are well positioned to meet this growing need,” said Onno van de Stolpe, CEO of Galapagos.
About Argenta
Argenta’s contract research, which includes expertise in medicinal chemistry, computer-aided drug discovery,in vitro biology, analytics, in vivo pharmacokinetics, pharmacology and world-leading respiratory models, has a strong reputation for scientific excellence. Argenta was acquired by Galapagos in February 2010 and employs over 140 people in the UK with its main operations in Harlow. More info at: www.argentadiscovery.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 six clinical and over 50 small molecule discovery/pre-clinical programs. Through risk/reward-sharing alliances with GlaxoSmithKline, Lilly, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Merck & Co., Roche and Servier, Galapagos is eligible to receive up to EUR3.3 billion in downstream milestones, plus royalties. Following the recent acquisition of the Zagreb research center, the Galapagos Group now has over 800 employees and operates facilities in seven 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 Elizabeth Goodwin, Director Investor Relations Tel: +31 6 2291 6240 ir@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.
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