Galapagos NV (Euronext & NASDAQ: GLPG) announced today that Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Thad Huston will depart the company effective August 1, 2025. According to the company, Huston has decided to return to the United States for both personal and professional reasons.
Huston, who joined Galapagos in 2023 from Kite Pharma, Inc., has played a significant role in the biotechnology company's strategic pivot toward cell therapy development. The company stated it expects to announce his successor in the coming months, with Huston remaining in his position until August to facilitate a smooth transition.
Strategic Transformation in Cell Therapy
Paul Stoffels, MD, CEO and Chair of the Board of Directors of Galapagos, acknowledged Huston's contributions to the company's evolution: "Over the past two years, Thad has worked on the transformation of Galapagos into a focused cell therapy business leveraging our unique decentralized cell therapy platform to deliver fresh, stem-like early memory CAR-T therapy with a vein-to-vein time of seven days."
This statement highlights Galapagos' technological focus on rapid turnaround times for CAR-T cell therapies, a critical factor in patient treatment timelines. The company's decentralized platform represents a strategic approach to addressing manufacturing and logistical challenges that have historically limited broader adoption of cell therapies.
Ongoing Corporate Restructuring
The announcement comes amid broader organizational changes at Galapagos. References in the company's forward-looking statements point to an intended separation of Galapagos into two public companies, though specific details about this corporate restructuring were not elaborated in the announcement.
The company noted potential challenges associated with these transactions, including regulatory and shareholder approval requirements, talent retention concerns, and knowledge transfer risks. These factors may influence the timeline for appointing Huston's successor and the company's operational continuity during this transition period.
Market Position and Future Direction
Galapagos describes itself as "a global biotechnology company dedicated to transforming patient outcomes through life-changing science and innovation." The company's strategic focus on cell therapy, particularly CAR-T technology, positions it in a competitive but promising therapeutic space.
CAR-T therapies have shown remarkable efficacy in certain hematological malignancies but face challenges including manufacturing complexity, high costs, and accessibility. Galapagos' emphasis on a decentralized platform with rapid vein-to-vein times suggests an approach aimed at addressing these industry-wide limitations.
As the company navigates this leadership transition, maintaining momentum in its cell therapy programs will likely remain a priority for the board and executive team. The appointment of Huston's successor will be a significant indicator of Galapagos' strategic direction and operational focus in the coming years.
