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Galapagos reports additional Phase IIb filgotinib data in RA

July 31, 2015 3:44 AM UTC

Galapagos N.V. (Euronext:GLPG; NASDAQ:GLPG) reported 24-week data from the Phase IIb DARWIN 1 trial of filgotinib ( GLPG0634) to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that suggested a differentiated safety profile; the data were in line with 12-week results. Galapagos said in April the once-daily 200 mg dose and twice-daily 100 mg dose of filgotinib plus methotrexate met the primary endpoint vs. placebo plus MTX at 12 weeks (see BioCentury Extra, April 14).

The company reported a higher relative increase in HDL compared to LDL after treatment with filgotinib plus methotrexate over 24 weeks. In April, CSO Piet Wigerinck noted "in general, if your HDL level increased more than your LDL, your risk factors for cardiovascular accidents are improving." Filgotinib led to an increase of up to 23% in HDL and an increase of up to 13% in LDL. The Janus kinase-1 (JAK-1) inhibitor also led to an increase of up to 4% from baseline in hemoglobin levels. ...