Galapagos Defends High-Risk High-Reward R&D Strategy

CEO: 'We don't want to throw away the baby with the bathwater'

Following a trio of high-profile setbacks, the Belgian biotech is looking to fill the gap between the European launches of its rheumatoid arthritis drug Jyseleca and its programs back in Phase II via in-licensing and M&A.

tightrope
Drug development is a risky business • Source: Shutterstock

Despite the recent failures of fibrosis drug ziritaxestat and osteoarthritis asset GLPG1972, plus the decision by partner Gilead Sciences, Inc. not to develop filgotinib in the US for rheumatoid arthritis, Galapagos NV says its appetite for high-risk clinical projects remain undiminished.

The last few months been fairly miserable for Galapagos, starting in October 2020 when the osteoarthritis drug GLPG1972, an ADAMTS-5 inhibitor partnered with Servier, failed to significantly reduce cartilage loss...

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