* Galapagos to discover small molecule candidate drugs for pre-clinical development in atherosclerosis
* Total alliance milestones more than double to over EUR 400 million, plus royalties on worldwide sales
Galapagos NV (Euronext: GLPG) announced today that it has expanded its global strategic alliance in metabolic diseases with an affiliate of Merck & Co., Inc to incorporate the development of new therapies for atherosclerosis.
Galapagos will be responsible for the discovery and pre-clinical development of new small molecule candidate drugs based on novel Galapagos targets. The alliance will make use of Galapagos' proprietary target discovery platform for identification of novel targets in atherosclerosis, as well as in obesity and diabetes. After validation, targets will be selected by a joint steering committee and entered into screening and chemistry by Galapagos. Merck will have an exclusive option to license in each candidate for clinical development and commercialization on a worldwide basis. Upon exercise of such option, Merck will be responsible for the development and commercialization of the candidate drug. Galapagos may execute Phase I clinical studies and will have the right to further develop and commercialize certain compounds for which Merck does not exercise its exclusive option.