Roche and Galapagos expand COPD alliance
This article was originally published in Scrip
Galapagos has expanded its global multi-year strategic alliance with Roche that was signed at the start of the year to develop potential new therapies in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The partners have increased the number of antibody targets in the alliance. In addition, these targets can now be used as starting points for molecules consisting of nucleic acids and/or amino acids. As such, the scope of the alliance could now potentially include peptides, siRNA and other nucleic acids.
The original deal covered the discovery and development of small molecules and antibodies to treat COPD. It included a €6 million research access payment from Roche and potential milestones of more than €400 million (scripnews.com, 11 January 2010).
The expansion increases the potential value of milestone payments the Belgian biotech company receives by €150 million.
"We've made a good start in the alliance with Roche," said Onno van de Stolpe, CEO of Galapagos. "This is the fourth alliance that has been expanded upon the request of our pharma partners."
acquisition
In February, Galapagos said it had acquired the service operations of privately held UK firm Argenta Discovery for €16.5 million in cash. Argenta joined Galapagos's existing service division, BioFocus, creating a sizeable drug discovery service organisation with 390 employees and an estimated €70 million in annual turnover.
Argenta's therapeutic respiratory development programmes will continue in a new privately held company, Pulmagen Therapeutics, of which Galapagos has no ownership. Pulmagen is being led by former Argenta chief executive Dr Chris Ashton.
Galapagos reported strong results for the full year 2009, posting record revenues and profits driven by its R&D division and BioFocus (scripnews.com, 1 February 2010).