Servier and Galapagos’ osteoarthritis alliance reaches new milestone

Servier has announced that a second partial milestone has been reached in its osteoarthritis research alliance with Galapagos.

The nomination of a new pre-clinical candidate has been completed by Galapagos, resulting in the firm receiving an undisclosed payment from Servier. This comes after a two million euro (1.6 million pounds) fee was paid in March 2014 after the first partial milestone was passed.

GLPG1972, the second candidate drug that Galapagos has delivered as part of the alliance, has shown promise as a disease-modifying therapy for patients with osteoarthritis, which is the most common skeletal disorder worldwide.

The companies have been working together on this project since July 2010. Galapagos is eligible to receive up to 290 million euros in success-based milestones, plus royalties on commercial sales.

Dr Patricia Belissa Mathiot, director of rheumatology innovation at Servier, said: "The achievement of this milestone reflects the strength and commitment in our relationship with Galapagos in the field of osteoarthritis. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to advance into clinical development."

This comes after the firm also announced the achievement of two milestones in its oncology drug discovery collaboration with Vernalis earlier this month.