GlaxoSmithKline and Galapagos succeed in psoriasis after two setbacks

Galapagos and partner GlaxoSmithKline ($GSK) say their anti-inflammation candidate hit its mark in a mid-stage trial on psoriasis, a stroke of good news for a drug beset by developmental slipups.

The treatment, GSK2586184, met its primary endpoint of improving psoriasis severity at 12 weeks in a 66-patient Phase IIa study, the partners said, and the two reported no serious adverse events. GSK is running the placebo-controlled study on its own, and, under a 2012 deal between the duo, Galapagos is in line for up to $47 million in milestones and a cut of sales if the drug makes its way to market.

That seemed like a shaky proposition after Galapagos revealed in February that its Big Pharma partner had halted a Phase II study of GSK2586184 in lupus due to lack of effect and put on hold a Phase I/II trial testing the drug in ulcerative colitis. GSK's moves pinned any hopes for the JAK1 inhibitor on the then-pending psoriasis study, and now, in light of the drug's latest success, the U.K. giant said it plans to review the data before deciding whether to press on into Phase III.

Galapagos' next big readout is due in June, when it expects to report Phase II data on GLPG0974, an unpartnered FFA inhibitor with potential in ulcerative colitis. And the collaboration-inclined biotech is working with AbbVie ($ABBV) on the mid-stage rheumatoid arthritis treatment GLPG0634 and the preclinical cystic fibrosis drug GLPG1837. Alongside partners Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) and Servier, Galapagos is developing treatments in oncology and a slew of inflammatory diseases.

Last month, the Belgian company sold off its contract research arm to Charles River Laboratories ($CRL) for $179 million, moving away from its once-diversified model to better focus on its pipeline.

- read the announcement