Galapagos, Gilead announce partnership to develop JAK1-selective inhibitor

Galapagos NV and Gilead Sciences Inc. entered into an international coalition Dec. 17 to develop and commercialize the JAK1-selective inhibitor filgotinib for inflammatory disease indications.

“This partnership represents an opportunity to add complementary clinical programs to our growing inflammation research and development efforts,” Gilead’s Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer Norbert Bischofberger, PhD, said. “We look forward to working with Galapagos to advance this program forward as quickly as possible.”

Data taken from the phase 2 trial shows that filgotinib possesses the potential to be therapeutic for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. The two companies are set to collaborate on the global development of filgotinib and will begin with the initiation of Phase 3 trials in rheumatoid arthritis. In the agreement, Galapagos will co-fund 20 percent of global development activities and Gilead will head manufacturing, marketing and sales.

Galapagos is to receive a $725 million sum that is broken down into a license fee of $300 million and a $425 million equity investment in the company. Additionally, Galapagos will be eligible for milestone payments up to $1.35 billion, with tiered royalties starting at 20 percent and a co-promotion profit split.

“We are excited about the potential of filgotinib in RA and other diseases with a strong partner like Gilead, which shares our goal of rapidly delivering these therapies for patients,” Onno van de Stolpe, Galapagos CEO, said. “Furthermore, we look forward to the perspective of working together worldwide across other possible indications. The co-development and co-promotion aspects of this collaboration bring us into the next phase of the company’s evolution.”

This agreement has been granted approval by the boards of both companies and is subject to customary closing conditions and clearances.