MECHELEN, BELGIUM--(Marketwired - Apr 22, 2013) -
* GLPG1790 has high efficacy against triple-negative breast cancer
* Innovative, targeted approach
* Galapagos plans to initiate clinical trials within one year
Galapagos NV (
Breast cancer is a disease in which tumor cells form in the breast tissue; it is one of the most common types of cancer in women. There are many different types of breast cancer, and as a result, there are many options for treatment. Targeted drug treatments such as Herceptin® and Avastin®[1] attack specific types of breast cancer cells. Decisions about the best possible treatment with targeted drugs are based on tests for the presence of ER, PR and HER2[2]. Triple-negative breast cancer (tumor cells that have no ER, PR and HER2) accounts for one-fifth of breast cancers, and it usually affects young women. There are no targeted drugs available for patients with triple-negative breast cancer.
Candidate drug GLPG1790 is a selective and potent inhibitor of a novel breast cancer target; the candidate drug has proven to be highly active against triple- negative breast cancer in a mouse xenograft model where it completely blocks tumor growth. GLPG1790 has good drug-like properties, and safety/tolerability studies with the candidate drug look favorable. Galapagos will initiate preclinical studies with GLPG1790, and expects to initiate the first clinical trials in humans within one year. This novel program is fully proprietary to Galapagos.
"GLPG1790 is the result of a multi-year research program on a novel mechanism of action discovered with our target discovery platform," says Dr Piet Wigerinck, Galapagos CSO. "We are pleased to have developed a targeted approach towards triple-negative breast cancer. Targeted approaches in oncology typically show good efficacy and less toxicity than chemotherapy."
About Galapagos
Galapagos (
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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[1]Herceptin® and Avastin® are registered trademarks of Roche for trastuzumab and bevacizumab, respectively
[2]Human epidermal growth factor type 2 receptor
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Source: Galapagos NV via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1694682]
CONTACT Galapagos NV Dr Piet Wigerinck Chief Scientific Officer Tel. +32 477 627103 Elizabeth Goodwin Director Investor Relations Tel: +31 6 2291 6240 Email Contact
