Galapagos NV has announced significant progress in its cell therapy programs and unveiled plans for a strategic reorganization, marking a transformative period for the global biotechnology company.
Strong Clinical Results for Lead CAR-T Program
The company's lead CD19 CAR-T candidate, GLPG5101, demonstrated compelling efficacy in the ongoing ATALANTA-1 Phase 1/2 study across multiple non-Hodgkin lymphoma indications. Updated data from 49 treated patients showed:
- 100% objective and complete response rates in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients
- 95% objective and complete response rates in marginal zone lymphoma (MZL)/follicular lymphoma (FL) patients
- 69% objective response rate and 54% complete response rate in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients
The therapy maintained an encouraging safety profile, with primarily manageable hematological adverse events. Notably, only one case each of Grade 3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) were observed.
Revolutionary Manufacturing Platform Performance
A key differentiator of Galapagos's approach is its innovative decentralized manufacturing platform, which achieved remarkable operational efficiency:
- 96% of patients received fresh, fit cell therapy
- 91.5% of patients received treatment within seven days (vein-to-vein time)
- Strong and consistent in vivo CAR-T expansion observed across all tested doses
Strategic Separation into Two Companies
Galapagos announced plans to separate into two publicly traded companies by mid-2025:
- SpinCo (name to be determined):
- Will receive approximately €2.45 billion in cash
- Focus on building innovative medicine pipeline through strategic transactions
- Maintain strategic partnership with Gilead
- Will be listed on both Nasdaq and Euronext
- Galapagos:
- Will retain approximately €500 million in cash
- Focus on cell therapy development and platform advancement
- Target normalized annual cash burn of €175-225 million
- Projected cash runway until 2028
Pipeline Expansion and Future Plans
The company is expanding its GLPG5101 program to eight indications, including:
- Addition of double-refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- Richter transformation of CLL
- Existing programs in MCL, MZL/FL, DLBCL, and other aggressive B-cell malignancies
Galapagos aims to:
- Initiate pivotal development in 2026
- Target first approval by 2028
- Scale up manufacturing capacity through partnerships with Lonza, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and multiple decentralized manufacturing units
Financial Position
The company ended 2024 with a strong financial position:
- €3.3 billion in cash and cash equivalents
- Total net revenues of €275.6 million
- Operating loss from continuing operations of €188.3 million
- Net profit of €74.1 million for the year
Dr. Paul Stoffels, CEO and Chair of the Board, commented: "We are making significant strides to position Galapagos for long-term value creation and to advance our global leadership in cell therapy by addressing high unmet medical needs in oncology."
