BNP Paribas notify of 5.08% shareholding in Galapa

MECHELEN, Belgium, Feb. 9, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galapagos NV (Euronext: GLPG) received a transparency notification from BNP Paribas.

Pursuant to Belgian transparency legislation ¹ , Galapagos received a transparency notification on 5 February 2015 from BNP Paribas Investment Partners SA, BNP Paribas Asset Management SAS, BNP Paribas Investment Partners Belgium SA, BNP Paribas Investment Partners UK Ltd. and CamGestion SA. BNP Paribas notified that on 30 January 2015, these entities under their control held 1,538,622 shares, representing 5.08% of the current 30,299,129 outstanding Galapagos shares. This is the first transparency notice Galapagos received from BNP Paribas.

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@glpg.com

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.

¹ Belgian Act of 2 May 2007 on the disclosure of major shareholdings in issuers whose shares are admitted to trading on a regulated market)

HUG#1892604