Edinburgh BioQuarter announces two-year partnership with Galapagos NV
University of Edinburgh academics to collaborate with Galapagos on cancer therapies
Edinburgh BioQuarter announced today that it had completed negotiations for a collaborative partnership between the University of Edinburgh’s academics and Galapagos NV, a Belgian clinical stage biotech company focused on developing medicines targeting novel, proprietary modes of action.
The partnership, initially for two years with a view to developing a longer-term collaboration, will provide Galapagos with insight into the mechanism of action of particular compounds, information which is critical in improving the effectiveness of those compounds in combating various forms of cancer.
“Working with our team, Galapagos will be able to access a wide range of advanced cancer models and technical capabilities established within the Edinburgh Cancer Discovery Unit, as well as the team’s outstanding knowledge and expertise”, said Dr Neil Carragher, Principal Investigator at the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre.
Dr Mike Capaldi, Commercialisation Director at Edinburgh BioQuarter, said: “Following on from the collaborative agreement with GSK at the end of 2011, this new partnership with Galapagos demonstrates industry’s growing awareness of the depth of world-class research being undertaken here in Edinburgh. It’s also further evidence of the strength of partnership we enjoy with both the University of Edinburgh’s research community and the bio-pharmaceutical industry.”
For more information or an interview, contact: James Wood, Head of Marketing and Communications, Edinburgh BioQuarter:
Telephone: 07834 288 899 Email: james.wood@bioquarter.com
1. About Edinburgh BioQuarter: Edinburgh BioQuarter is a joint venture between Scottish Enterprise, the NHS, the University of Edinburgh and Alexandria Real Estate Equities. Edinburgh BioQuarter commercialises world-leading medical research and brings investors, ideas and companies together at the BioQuarter campus on the outskirts of Edinburgh. www.edinburghbioquarter.com
2. About Galapagos: (Euronext: GLPG; OTC: GLPYY) is a mid-size clinical stage biotechnology company specialized in the discovery and development of small molecule and antibody therapies with novel modes-of-action. The Company is progressing GLPG0634, as well as one of the largest pipelines in biotech, with four programs in development and over 50 discovery programs. The Galapagos Group has over 800 employees and operates facilities in six countries, with global headquarters in Mechelen, Belgium. More info at: www.glpg.com
3. About the Edinburgh Cancer Discovery Unit: The ECDU represents a suite of state-of-the-art imaging and pathway analytical methodologies, integrated with use of best available preclinical models and access to annotated clinical samples. The aim of ECDU is to complement and enhance the conventional target-directed drug project operating model by providing efficient, evidence-led mechanistic information on drug pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics via high content imaging, global signalling pathway biomarkers and robust efficacy testing in valued preclinical models.