Galapagos Selects Pre-Clinical Candidate Drug for Cachexia

Galapagos NV announced has selected a candidate drug to enter into pre-clinical development in the Company’s cachexia 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 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.