26 November 2012 - Belgium
First candidate antibiotic is effective against all tested MRSA strains
- May offer treatment against multiple drug-resistant infections
- Proprietary to Galapagos, based on novel target DNA pol III alpha (DnaE)
- Clinical development of first antibiotic initiated
Bacterial infections that have become resistant to all existing antibiotics pose a pressing healthcare problem because treatment options for patients become very limited. MRSA is the best known example: a potentially life-threatening infection that occurs most frequently among patients in hospitals. The novel Galapagos candidate antibiotic shows strong activity against all tested drug resistant bacteria.
This newly discovered antibiotic works by inhibiting the target DNA pol III alpha, an enzyme present in all bacteria and essential for their growth; this target is absent in humans. The novel mode of action - inhibition of DNA pol III alpha - may be used to explore a variety of novel antibiotics, targeting bacteria for which resistance to current antibiotics has emerged.
Using this novel target, Galapagos has selected a first candidate antibiotic, CAM-1, to enter drug development. CAM-1 was tested against more than 250 different bacterial strains and effectively killed 100% of all drug resistant Staph. aureus, including MRSA. CAM-1 shows better efficacy than standard antibiotics, as shown by in vivo bacterial infection models. Galapagos aims to enter the clinic in the first quarter 2014, with a Proof of Concept study thereafter. This novel antibiotic program, including all compounds targeting MRSA, is fully proprietary to Galapagos.
"Selection of a candidate antibiotic in our MRSA development program is an important step toward realizing the full potential of our unique anti-bacterial program," said Dr Piet Wigerinck, Chief Scientific Officer of Galapagos. "Our antibiotics have a novel mode of action which brings all tested MRSA strains to a complete halt. Combined with a diagnostic test, these compounds could bring a real solution to MRSA infections."
About MRSA
Drug resistant infections including MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) occur most frequently among patients in healthcare settings. Globally, MRSA treatment with antibiotics generates an estimated $4 billion in annual revenues[1]. Development of new treatments within existing classes of antibiotics is complicated by the short timeframe in which resistance to the antibiotic emerges. Regulators encourage development of narrow spectrum antibiotics in order to address this dilemma. Current advancements in rapid diagnostic tests to identify the bacterial strain responsible for the infection provide an opportunity for the development of targeted, narrow spectrum antibiotics.
About Galapagos
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 its JAK1 inhibitor GLPG0634, as well as one of the largest pipelines in biotech, with four programs in development and over 30 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
CONTACT
Galapagos NV Dr Piet Wigerink, Chief Scientific Officer Tel. +32 477 627103
Elizabeth Goodwin, Director Investor Relations Tel: +31 6 2291 6240 ir@glpg.com
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