MECHELEN, Belgium, June 18, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galapagos NV (Euronext & NASDAQ: GLPG) announced today it has completed recruitment for the Phase 2 Proof-of-Concept study in ulcerative colitis with GPR84 inhibitor GLPG1205, a potential novel treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases. Topline results from this study are now expected in Q1 2016. GPR84 was identified as a target for these diseases through Galapagos' target discovery platform and GLPG1205 is fully proprietary to Galapagos.
GLPG1205 ('1205) inhibits GPR84, a novel mechanism of action for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). GPR84 is upregulated in IBD patients. Galapagos has shown that '1205, a selective inhibitor of GPR84, is very effective in pre-clinical models for IBD. In Phase 1 studies, once-daily oral '1205 showed good safety, full blockage of GPR84, and favorable drug-like properties.
"We are pleased that recruitment for the ORIGIN study has gone so well, which means we can report topline results one quarter earlier than planned," said Dr Piet Wigerinck, Chief Scientific Officer of Galapagos. "We look forward to finding out if this novel mode of action opens a new approach towards the treatment of ulcerative colitis patients."
Details of ORIGIN, the clinical Proof-of-Concept study in ulcerative colitis
The Proof-of-Concept Phase 2 trial for '1205 was initiated in January 2015 and involves approximately 60 patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. The aim is to evaluate the efficacy, safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of '1205, and to explore the effects of '1205 on selected biomarkers in this patient population. Patients receive oral doses of either 100 mg of '1205 or placebo (2:1 ratio) once-daily, for a period of twelve weeks. The primary endpoint is the change in Mayo scores versus baseline after 8 weeks of treatment, which includes endoscopic confirmation on improvement of ulceration. This randomized, double-blind study recruited patients in multiple sites in 6 countries: Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Russia. The trial will deliver top line data in Q1 2016.
About ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is one of the forms of inflammatory bowel disease. It is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disease of the colon, characterized by ulcers in the colon and rectum. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, malnutrition and diarrhea, often bloody. Ulcerative colitis has a prevalence of 200-250 cases per 100,000 individuals per year and a peak incidence between the ages of 15 and 25 years. This chronic condition is without a medical cure and commonly requires a lifetime of care. Current drug treatment includes anti-inflammatory steroids and immuno-suppressive agents such as TNF inhibitors. Over the long term, up to 25-30% of the patients will require surgery to remove the inflamed parts of the bowels.
About GPR84
G-coupled protein receptor 84 (GPR84) is involved in the regulation of macrophages, monocytes, and neutrophils in the human immune system. Galapagos identified GPR84 as playing a key role in inflammation, using its proprietary target discovery platform. GPR84 is over-expressed in patients with both forms of IBD - UC and Crohn's disease. Galapagos has demonstrated in pre-clinical trials that GPR84 inhibition prevents neutrophil and macrophage chemotaxis induced by specific triggers, and that '1205 prevents IBD disease progression in animal models. '1205 is also the first inhibitor of GPR84 to be tested in humans; it has shown good safety, inhibition of GPR84, and favorable drug-like properties in Phase 1 studies.
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
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