Galapagos starts filgotinib trial, triggering milestone

Galapagos N.V. (Euronext:GLPG; NASDAQ:GLPG) said the first patient was dosed in the Phase III DIVERSITY study of filgotinib (GS-6034) to treat Crohn's disease, triggering a $50 million milestone payment from Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD).

In a 2015 deal, Gilead paid Galapagos $725 million up front to share rights to the Janus kinase-1 (JAK-1) inhibitor to treat inflammatory diseases. Galapagos is eligible for $1.35 billion in milestones, plus royalties. The partners are also evaluating filgotinib in rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis (see BioCentury Extra, Dec. 17, 2015)...