Galapagos Subsidiary BioFocus Signs Agreement with Biogen Idec in Scleroderma Target Discovery
![](/46/pdcnewsitem/03/27/81/G0bZke3MCw2etu3.png)
Galapagos NV's subsidiary BioFocus has signed a 3-year collaboration agreement with Biogen Idec focused on the identification and validation of novel targets in scleroderma.
Galapagos’ service division BioFocus will use its SilenceSelect platform and unique human skin models to deliver new assays and identify validated, novel, disease-modifying targets in scleroderma to Biogen Idec. Under the terms of the agreement, BioFocus will receive an upfront payment, FTE funding, and will be eligible to receive success payments for target discovery milestones to be delivered by BioFocus and development milestones achieved by Biogen Idec. The total value of this collaboration to BioFocus could reach $31 million.
“We believe Galapagos has unique expertise with relevant human primary cells, positioning them well to find new targets for disease-modifying therapies against scleroderma,” said Jo Viney, vice president of discovery sciences at Biogen Idec.
“We welcome Biogen Idec to our client base and look forward to applying our versatile target discovery engine to yet another new disease area with unmet medical need,” added David Smith, CEO Galapagos Services.
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease characterised by hardening of the skin. Patients with diffuse scleroderma also experience hardening of the organs, which can be particularly disabling and also fatal. Scleroderma is found worldwide, affecting 1 in 1000 in the US, with women four times more likely than men to develop the disease. The root causes of the disease are not well understood, and there are no disease-modifying treatments.
Related News
-
News Ophthalmologic drug product Eylea faces biosimilar threats after FDA approvals
Regeneron Pharmaceutical’s blockbuster ophthalmology drug Eylea is facing biosimilar competition as the US FDA approves Biocon’s Yesafili and Samsung Bioepis/Biogen’s Opuviz. -
News ONO Pharmaceutical expands oncology portfolio with acquisition of Deciphera
ONO Pharmaceutical, out of Japan, is in the process of acquiring cancer-therapy maker Deciphera Pharmaceuticals for US$2.4 billion. -
News First offers for pharma from Medicare drug price negotiations
Ten high-cost drugs from various pharma manufacturers are in pricing negotiations in a first-ever for the US Medicare program. President Biden’s administration stated they have responded to the first round of offers. -
News Eli Lilly’s Zepbound makes leaps and bounds in weight-loss drug market
In the last week, Eli Lilly has announced their partnership with Amazon.com’s pharmacy unit to deliver prescriptions of Zepbound. Zepbound has also surpassed Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy for the number of prescriptions for the week of March 8.&nbs... -
News Chasing new frontiers at LEAP – The National Biotechnology Strategy Keynote
On the third day of LEAP (4–7 March 2024, Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Malham, Saudi Arabia) the CPHI Middle East team hosted the Future Pharma Forum, to set the scene for an exciting new event for the pharma community, coming to Riya... -
News Pfizer maps out plans for developing new oncology therapeutics by 2030
Pfizer dilvulges plans to investors around growing their cancer portfolio, and the drugs they will be focusing on developing after their aquisition of Seagen in 2023. -
News Generics threat to Merck’s Bridion as Hikma seeks pre-patent expiry approval
Merck has disclosed they received notice from Hikma Pharmaceuticals for seeking a pre-patent expiry US FDA approval for Hikma’s generic version of Merck’s Bridion. -
News Bernie Sanders vs Big Pharma - the latest on drug price negotiations
In a hearing in front of the US Senate, three of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in America are challenged over exorbitant prescription drug prices, with Sanders claiming their actions are limiting the population's access to affordable healthc...
Position your company at the heart of the global Pharma industry with a CPHI Online membership
-
Your products and solutions visible to thousands of visitors within the largest Pharma marketplace
-
Generate high-quality, engaged leads for your business, all year round
-
Promote your business as the industry’s thought-leader by hosting your reports, brochures and videos within your profile
-
Your company’s profile boosted at all participating CPHI events
-
An easy-to-use platform with a detailed dashboard showing your leads and performance