Galapagos Selects Pre-clinical Candidate Drug For Cachexia

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Also Included In: Prostate / Prostate Cancer;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 07 Jan 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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Galapagos NV (Euronext: GLPG) announced that it has selected a candidate drug to enter into pre-clinical development in the Company's cachexia (loss of weight and muscle mass) program. This candidate drug is a small molecule that Galapagos has developed in its Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) program and which has demonstrated successful Proof of Concept in animal studies.

Galapagos' pre-clinical candidate G100192 binds very selectively and strongly to targeted androgen receptors, potentially enabling the candidate drug to be efficacious without cardiovascular, prostate, or virility side effects traditionally seen in androgen therapies. Galapagos aims for once-a-day oral dosing that improves muscle mass and function, with minimal effects on hormonal status of cachexia patients. Animal studies completed thus far encourage the Company to continue toward this goal.

In its SARM program, Galapagos' strategy has been to pursue a first indication in cachexia, with possible second indication in osteoporosis. In February 2008, Galapagos announced that the SARM lead compound had limited bioavailability. Thereafter, its research group at the Biocitech Park in Romainville obtained a breakthrough in potency and oral bioavailability, leading to a pre-clinical candidate within 10 months.

G100192 is a novel compound for which patents are pending, providing freedom to operate. This program is an addition to the Company's portfolio of unpartnered R&D programs that address known drug targets, which also includes an integrin receptor antagonist (IRA) program in bone metastasis and Nanocort©, a liposome formulation of prednisolone for acute flares in rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

"The G100192 candidate is a remarkable success story. From an almost completely abandoned program in February 2008, our researchers applied rational drug design to come up with a novel compound that has overcome the program hurdles of bioavailability. G100192 shows very exciting efficacy and safety," said Onno van de Stolpe, CEO of Galapagos. "As a consequence, this candidate in cachexia is now well positioned to address a large unmet medical need for which there is only limited competition. We are eager to progress this molecule towards the clinic."

About cachexia

Cachexia is the loss of appetite, weight and muscle mass in persons who are not actively trying to lose weight; it can be a symptom of underlying illnesses such as cancer, AIDS, and age-related disorders. Cachexia physically weakens and immobilizes patients, and response to treatment is usually poor. Existing therapies for cachexia, such as steroids and cytokine inhibitors, often have serious side effects. Current estimates of the market for cachexia therapies are in the range of EUR1 billion.

About Galapagos

Galapagos (Euronext Brussels: GLPG; Euronext Amsterdam: GLPGA; OTC: GLPYY) is a drug discovery company with pre-clinical programs in bone and joint diseases and bone metastasis. Its division BioFocus DPI offers a full suite of target-to-drug discovery products and services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies, encompassing target discovery and validation, screening and drug discovery through to delivery of pre-clinical candidates. BioFocus DPI also provides adenoviral reagents for rapid identification and validation of novel drug targets, compound libraries for drug screening as well as ADMET products to select compounds. Galapagos currently employs 460 people and operates facilities in six countries, with global headquarters in Mechelen, Belgium. More information about Galapagos can be found at http://www.glpg.com.

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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