MECHELEN, BELGIUM--(Marketwired - Apr 22, 2013) -

* GLPG1790 has high efficacy against triple-negative breast cancer

* Innovative, targeted approach

* Galapagos plans to initiate clinical trials within one year

Galapagos NV (EURONEXT BRUSSELS: [ GLPG ]) announced today that it developed GLPG1790, a novel candidate drug to treat breast cancer. GLPG1790 has shown high activity against breast tumors that are triple- negative, for which the absence of estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) or HER2 receptors affects the prognosis for recovery, and no targeted therapeutic options are currently available.

Breast cancer is a disease in which tumor cells form in the breast tissue; it is one of the most common types of cancer in women. There are many different types of breast cancer, and as a result, there are many options for treatment. Targeted drug treatments such as Herceptin® and Avastin®[1] attack specific types of breast cancer cells. Decisions about the best possible treatment with targeted drugs are based on tests for the presence of ER, PR and HER2[2]. Triple-negative breast cancer (tumor cells that have no ER, PR and HER2) accounts for one-fifth of breast cancers, and it usually affects young women. There are no targeted drugs available for patients with triple-negative breast cancer.

Candidate drug GLPG1790 is a selective and potent inhibitor of a novel breast cancer target; the candidate drug has proven to be highly active against triple- negative breast cancer in a mouse xenograft model where it completely blocks tumor growth. GLPG1790 has good drug-like properties, and safety/tolerability studies with the candidate drug look favorable. Galapagos will initiate preclinical studies with GLPG1790, and expects to initiate the first clinical trials in humans within one year. This novel program is fully proprietary to Galapagos.

"GLPG1790 is the result of a multi-year research program on a novel mechanism of action discovered with our target discovery platform," says Dr Piet Wigerinck, Galapagos CSO. "We are pleased to have developed a targeted approach towards triple-negative breast cancer. Targeted approaches in oncology typically show good efficacy and less toxicity than chemotherapy."

About Galapagos

Galapagos (EURONEXT BRUSSELS: [ GLPG ]) (PINKSHEETS: [ GLPYY ]) is specialized in novel modes-of-action, with a large pipeline of four clinical, seven pre-clinical, and 30 discovery small-molecule and antibody programs in cystic fibrosis, inflammation, antibiotics, metabolic disease, and other indications. GLPG0634 is an orally-available, selective inhibitor of JAK1 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and potentially other inflammatory diseases, about to enter Phase 2b studies. AbbVie and Galapagos signed a worldwide license agreement whereby AbbVie will be responsible for further development and commercialization after Phase 2b. Galapagos has another selective JAK1 inhibitor in Phase 2 in lupus and psoriasis, GSK2586184 (formerly GLPG0778, in- licensed by GlaxoSmithKline in 2012). GLPG0187 is a novel integrin receptor antagonist currently in a Phase 1b patient study in metastasis. GLPG0974 is the first inhibitor of FFA2 to be evaluated clinically for the treatment of IBD; this program will start a Proof of Concept Phase 2 study this quarter. The Galapagos Group, including fee-for-service companies BioFocus, Argenta and Fidelta, has over 800 employees and operates facilities in five countries, with global headquarters in Mechelen, Belgium. Further information at: [ www.glpg.com ]

This release may contain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "could," "stands to," and "continues," as well as similar expressions. Such forward- looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which might cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Galapagos, or industry results, to be materially different from any historic or future results, financial conditions, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, the reader is advised not to place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of publication of this document. Galapagos expressly disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements in this document to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless required by law or regulation.

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[1]Herceptin® and Avastin® are registered trademarks of Roche for trastuzumab and bevacizumab, respectively

[2]Human epidermal growth factor type 2 receptor

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Source: Galapagos NV via Thomson Reuters ONE

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