Galapagos NV and AbbVie announced that the companies have expanded their collaboration focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapy options for cystic fibrosis (CF). In people with this life-threatening genetic disorder (80,000 worldwide) mutations in the CF gene cause the CFTR protein to malfunction, affecting chronically the lung and digestive systems and eventually leading to their destruction. Currently there is no cure for CF and the patients require lifelong supportive treatment and organ transplantation.
By developing a breakthrough triple CFTR combination therapy, Galapagos and AbbVie aim to offer new therapy options to 90% of the CF patients. “The compounds in our CF franchise show exciting results in vitro, and our strong partnership with AbbVie is focused on getting these combinations into patient trials as soon as possible” says Onno van de Stolpe, CEO of Galapagos.
AbbVie increased the potential milestones to Galapagos for Phase 1 and 2 achievements, bringing the remaining total milestone payments in the CF alliance up to nearly $600million. AbbVie has made an upfront payment of $45 million to Galapagos, which is in charge of the Phase 2 clinical development. Phase 3 will be executed by AbbVie and financially supported by Galapagos.
