MECHELEN, Belgium, and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 4, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Galapagos Genomics NV, the Belgian functional genomics company, and UCB Research, Inc. of Cambridge, Massachusetts, a division of UCB Pharma, today announced a collaboration to evaluate the precise function of proteins encoded by newly discovered genes involved in allergic response.
Under the terms of the agreement, Galapagos will supply UCB with adenoviral vectors containing human genes selected by UCB researchers. Galapagos will construct the recombinant adenoviruses using its PhenoSelect(R) expression platform. UCB will use these viruses to introduce and express newly discovered genes involved in allergic responses into human cells and to evaluate the function of the proteins encoded by the genes. Prior to moving into this collaboration, the parties successfully completed a feasibility study in which Galapagos demonstrated the potential of its technology platform to UCB. Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.
"This very promising collaboration demonstrates the growing interest from the Pharma and biotech industry in our proprietary adenoviral platform for target discovery and validation," said Onno van de Stolpe, Galapagos' CEO. "We are leased to work with UCB as it proves again that our system is extremely useful for rapid target validation of collections of genes. The data generated in this collaboration will enable UCB to efficiently prioritize their collection of drug targets and maximize their drug discovery efforts."
Galapagos Genomics is a privately held company headquartered in Mechelen, Belgium. The Company was established in 1999 as a joint venture between Crucell NV (Nasdaq:CRXL) (Leiden, The Netherlands), and Tibotec-Virco NV (Mechelen, Belgium). The Company has built a functional genomics platform using arrayed adenoviruses containing human genes to identify drug targets and therapeutic genes. Galapagos technology is based on the patented ER.C6(r) human cell line expression platform. Galapagos has an exclusive license to use ER.C6 for functional genomics applications. It's PhenoSelect libraries are in a format that enable high-throughput screening using cellular assays. The Company currently employs 60 people, including 17 PhD's, and occupies a 15,000 sq. ft. research and production facility in Mechelen, with additional research laboratories in Leiden, The Netherlands For more information, visit Galapagos' web site at http://www.galapagosgenomics.com.
UCB Pharma, the pharmaceutical division of the UCB Group, with headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, is a global leader in the research, manufacture and marketing of innovative therapeutics for allergy, respiratory and central nervous system disorders. These products include Zyrtec(R) (cetirizine HCl), a leading antihistamine, and Keppra(R) (levetiracetam), a novel anti-epileptic drug. UCB Group is active in the pharmaceutical, chemical and films sectors. UCB's research activities seek to promote health, well being and improved quality of life. The company currently employs over 9,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the web sites of UCB Group or UCB Research at: http://www.ucb-group.com or http://www.ucbresearch.com.
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CONTACT: Galapagos Genomics, Mechelen, Belgium
Laurens G. Theunis, Business Development
Phone: +32 15 34 29 00
Fax: +32 15 34 29 01
laurens@galapagos.be
Noonan/Russo Ltd., London
Veronica Sellar, Account Manager
+44 (0)20 7726 4452