MECHELEN, Belgium, June 15, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galapagos NV (Euronext & NASDAQ: GLPG) announced a joint presentation with AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV ) at the 38 th annual European Cystic Fibrosis Society conference in Brussels, Belgium.
"Development of Trafficking Assays to Evaluate Novel Corrector-Potentiator Combinations," presented by Dr Corina Balut of AbbVie, disclosed for the first time new assays developed by Galapagos and AbbVie to evaluate the impact of corrector molecules on the rescue of CFTR-F508del and to gain insight into the influence of each component in combination cocktails. Among these was the combination of AVI-tagged CFTR with an MSD discovery platform to provide a more specific and sensitive approach in studying the endocytosis and degradation rate of plasma membrane CFTR. This particular new assay also characterizes the effect of various correctors on channel stability at the cell surface and its endocytosis/recycling, allowing for a better understanding of the mechanism of action of compounds.
The presentation is available for download on the Galapagos website.
Galapagos and AbbVie are working together to develop a triple combination therapy for cystic fibrosis patients with the Class II (F508del) mutation. Novel potentiator GLPG1837 is currently in Phase 1 and is expected to enter a Phase 2 study in class III mutation patients before end 2015. Novel corrector GLPG2222 is expected to enter Phase 1 before end 2015. Galapagos and AbbVie expect to nominate a second novel corrector by Q3 2015 and thereby complete the triple combination therapy discovery phase. This second novel corrector is expected to enter Phase 1 in Q2 2016.
About Galapagos Galapagos (Euronext & NASDAQ: GLPG) 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 20 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 filgotinib . Filgotinib 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. Galapagos reported good activity and a favorable safety profile at 12 weeks in both the DARWIN 1 and 2 trials in RA. 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. GLPG1205, a first-in-class inhibitor of GPR84 and fully-owned by Galapagos, is currently being tested in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial in ulcerative colitis patients. GLPG1690 , a fully proprietary, first-in-class inhibitor of autotaxin, has shown favorable safety in a Phase 1 trial and is expected to enter Phase 2 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. 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. More info at www.glpg.com
CONTACT
Galapagos NV Elizabeth Goodwin, Head of Corporate Communications & IR Tel: +31 6 2291 6240 ir@glpg.com
Galapagos forward-looking statements This release may contain forward-looking statements, 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. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other risks can be found in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filing and reports, including in the company's prospectus filed with the SEC on May 14, 2015 and future filings and reports by the company. 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.
HUG#1928322
