NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. and MECHELEN, Belgium, Sept. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Galapagos NV (Euronext: GLPG) and AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) announced today that they have entered into a global alliance to discover, develop and commercialize novel potentiator and combination therapies in cystic fibrosis (CF), an inherited chronic disease that affects 70,000 people worldwide.

AbbVie and Galapagos will work collaboratively to contribute technologies and resources in order to develop and commercialize oral drugs that address the main mutations in CF patients, including F508del and G551D.  The goal of the collaboration is to identify compounds that correct defects in expression of (corrector) and/or increase the activity (potentiator) of the main mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) protein, including the F508del mutation, which is the most common with 90 percent prevalence among patients with CF.

In the alliance, AbbVie and Galapagos will develop potentiators and correctors discovered by Galapagos and expand the range of molecules, with the aim to initiate Phase 1 clinical studies at the end of 2014.  Following successful clinical development and regulatory approval, AbbVie will be responsible for commercial activities, with Galapagos retaining exclusive rights in China and South Korea and co-promotion rights in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.  

Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie will make an initial upfront payment of $45 million to Galapagos for rights related to the global alliance.  Upon successful completion of pre-determined success milestones, AbbVie and Galapagos will share responsibility and funding for Phase III clinical development.  Galapagos is eligible to receive up to $360 million in total additional payments for developmental and regulatory milestones, sales milestones upon the achievement of minimum annual net sales thresholds and additional double-digit royalty payments on net sales.

"Galapagos is very pleased to join forces with AbbVie in this exciting new area of CF.  Our programs in CF show promise.  Partnering with AbbVie allows us to ramp up our commitment significantly, share development risk and expertise, and increase our chances of bringing best-in-class therapies to CF patients," said Onno van de Stolpe, chief executive officer, Galapagos.

"We're pleased to enhance our partnership with Galapagos to include research in cystic fibrosis, a debilitating disease with significant unmet medical need. Our knowledge of the patient experience, combined with innovative advances in the understanding of disease etiology, offers the potential for new transformational treatments," saidJim Sullivan, Ph.D., vice president, pharmaceutical discovery, AbbVie.

Galapagos initiated its research in CF in 2005 as part of a collaboration with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  In 2010, Galapagos decided to pursue CF as the first orphan disease in which the company is attempting to discover, develop and launch its own medicines.  Galapagos has developed small molecule therapies that can restore the function of the defective CF protein (CFTR).  The first pre-clinical candidate is expected to be nominated this year, with the first clinical trials starting at the end of 2014.

Webcast presentation
Galapagos will hold an audio webcast presentation for journalists, analysts, and investors today at 15.00 CET/9 am ET /6 am PT, viewable at www.glpg.com.

About Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary disease of the entire body which leads to severe disability and early death in many cases.  Symptoms include frequent lung infections, sinus infections, poor growth, and diarrhea.  The cause is a defect in the gene which encodes for cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a protein which regulates components of sweat, mucus, and digestive juices.  CF affects approximately 70,000 people worldwide.  Patient symptoms are treated with antibiotics and other medicines.  There currently is no cure for the disease, and the predicted median age of survival is in the late 30s.

About AbbVie
AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott.  The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious diseases.  In 2013, AbbVie employs approximately 21,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries.  For further information on the company and its people, portfolio and commitments, please visit www.abbvie.com.  Follow@abbvie on Twitter or view careers on our Facebook or LinkedIn page.

About Galapagos  
Galapagos (Euronext: GLPG; OTC: GLPYY) is specialized in novel modes-of-action, with a large pipeline of four clinical, six pre-clinical, and 20 discovery small-molecule and antibody programs in CF, inflammation, antibiotics, metabolic disease, and other indications.

AbbVie and Galapagos signed an agreement in CF where they work collaboratively to develop and commercialize oral drugs that address two mutations in the CFTR gene, the G551D and F508del mutation.  In the field of inflammation, AbbVie and Galapagos signed a worldwide license agreement whereby AbbVie will be responsible for further development and commercialization of GLPG0634 after Phase 2B.  GLPG0634 is an orally-available, selective inhibitor of JAK1 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and potentially other inflammatory diseases, currently in Phase 2B studies in RA and about to enter Phase 2 studies in Crohn's disease. 

The Galapagos Group, including fee-for-service companies BioFocus, Argenta and Fidelta, has 800 employees and operates facilities in five countries, with global headquarters in Mechelen, Belgium.  Further information at:www.glpg.com