Mechelen, Belgium; 16 April 2013 - Galapagos NV (Euronext: GLPG) announced an expansion of the Phase 2b program with GLPG0634 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Galapagos wil increase the number of patients in the Phase 2b program to 875. AbbVie will provide an additional payment of $20 million to Galapagos prior to the start of the Phase 2b program in RA to fund the program's expansion to 875 patients.
GLPG0634 is the first selective JAK1 inhibitor in development for autoimmune diseases. In February 2012, Galapagos and AbbVie announced a global collaboration for GLPG0634 to treat autoimmune diseases. In November 2011 Galapagos announced promising efficacy and safety in a 4 week Proof of Concept study in RA. The results of the 4-week Phase 2a clinical study repeated the clinical benefit and safety of the drug seen in the Proof of Concept study.
Galapagos will initiate a 24-week global Phase 2b program in RA in Q2 2013, with trial design finalized by both Galapagos and AbbVie. The total number of patients to be included in the Phase 2b program will be expanded to 875, which will facilitate a final dose and regimen selection for Phase 3 clinical studies. Galapagos expects to report topline data from the Phase 2b program in Q4 2014.
The scope of the Phase 2 'Darwin' studies is as follows:
| Darwin 1 - Add-on to MTX | |
| 200 mg QD | 85 patients (pt) |
| 100 mg QD | 85 pt |
| 50 mg QD | 85 pt |
| 100 mg BID | 85 pt |
| 50 mg BID | 85 pt |
| 25 mg BID | 85 pt |
| Placebo | 85 pt |
| TOTAL | 595 pt |
| Darwin 2 - Monotherapy | |
| 200 mg QD | 70 patients (pt) |
| 100 mg QD | 70 pt |
| 50 mg QD | 70 pt |
| Placebo | 70 pt |
| TOTAL | 280 pt |
"We welcome AbbVie's support for expanding the GLPG0634 Phase 2b program in RA. This will optimize the program to explore the once- and twice-daily dosing profile of GLPG0634. The program is on track, with the start of the Phase 2b trials in this quarter. We benefit from the growing experience with JAK inhibitors in clinical development and on the market, which has helped us to design data-rich studies, preparing an efficient continuation into pivotal studies in Phase 3," said Onno van de Stolpe, CEO of Galapagos.
About candidate drug GLPG0634
GLPG0634 is an orally-available, novel Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor with selectivity for JAK1 developed by Galapagos. JAKs are critical components of signalling mechanisms utilized by a number of cytokines and growth factors, including those that are elevated in rheumatoid arthritis patients. JAK inhibitors have shown long-term efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis studies with an early onset of action. GLPG0634 differentiates from other JAK inhibitors in development by specifically targeting JAK1, a strategy which could result in a better efficacy and safety profile. GLPG0634 is a fully proprietary program. Upon successful completion of the RA Phase 2b studies, AbbVie will license the program and will assume sole responsibility for Phase 3 clinical development and global manufacturing.
About Galapagos
Galapagos (Euronext: GLPG; OTC: GLPYY) is specialized in novel modes-of-action, with a large pipeline of four clinical, six pre-clinical, and 30 discovery small-molecule and antibody programs in cystic fibrosis, inflammation, antibiotics, metabolic disease, and other indications.
GLPG0634 is an orally-available, selective inhibitor of JAK1 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and potentially other inflammatory diseases, about to enter Phase 2b studies. AbbVie and Galapagos signed a worldwide license agreement whereby AbbVie will be responsible for further development and commercialization after Phase 2b. Galapagos has another selective JAK1 inhibitor in Phase 2 in lupus and psoriasis, GSK2586184 (formerly GLPG0778, in-licensed by GlaxoSmithKline in 2012). GLPG0187 is a novel integrin receptor antagonist currently in a Phase 1b patient study in metastasis. GLPG0974 is the first inhibitor of GPR43 to be evaluated clinically for the treatment of IBD; this program will start a Proof of Concept Phase 2 study in Q2 2013.
The Galapagos Group, including fee-for-service companies BioFocus, Argenta and Fidelta, has 800 employees and operates facilities in five countries, with global headquarters in Mechelen, Belgium. Further information at: www.glpg.com
Contact
Galapagos NV
Onno van de Stolpe, Chief Executive Officer
Tel. +31 6 2909 8028
Elizabeth Goodwin, Director Investor Relations
Tel: +31 6 2291 6240
ir@glpg.com
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