GlaxoSmithKline announces Galapagos alliance expansion

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced its collaboration with Belgium-based Galapagos has been extended.

The antibacterials and antivirals alliance is now set to include three more discovery targets, which will see GSK paying its partner two million euros (1.81 million pounds) in cash.

Originated in December 2007, the partnership has seen Galapagos responsible for the discovery and development of drugs.

GSK also has the exclusive option to license each compound, with the aim of further research and global commercialisation.

Onno van de Stolpe, chief executive officer of Galapagos, said the company was “pleased” to be expanding the anti-infectives collaboration to include three more targets.

“Together with the current programmes advancing toward the clinic, we aim to progress these new anti-infective targets to deliver phase IIa clinical candidates,” he added.

Currently employing approximately 100,000 people in 100 countries, GSK’s products include Ribena, Horlicks, Lucozade and Panadol.

The company had 24 vaccines in clinical development by the end of February 2008.