Galápagos, Gilead announce partnership to develop filgotinib

Galápagos NV and Gilead Sciences Inc. announced the two companies are entering into a partnership to develop and commercialize filgotinib for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease.

The companies plan to begin phase 3 trials of filgotinib, a Janus kinase-1 inhibitor, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Crohn’s disease in 2016. Phase 2 study data show potential for filgotinib as an effective and well-tolerated oral therapy, according to a company press release. Other indications for filgotinib may be explored under the partnership.

“[We] look forward to the perspective of working together worldwide across other possible indications,” Onno van de Stolpe, chief executive officer of Galápagos, said in the release. “The co-development and co-promotion aspects of this collaboration bring us into the next phase of the company’s evolution.”

Under the agreement, Galápagos will receive an initial payment of $725 million comprised of a $300 million licensing fee and an equity investment of $425 million. Galápagos will be eligible for up to $1.35 billion in payments, with tiered royalty payments at 20% of higher profit sharing among co-promotion territories.

In phase 3 trials, Galápagos will be responsible for 20% of the cost of global development activities, while manufacturing, worldwide marketing and sales activities would be Gilead’s responsibility. Co-promotion in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom will be an option for Galápagos.

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