Galapagos has discovered new drug targets (human proteins that are starting points for the development of novel drugs) using human primary cells relevant for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Galapagos applies these targets to find small molecules that change the activity of these proteins and thereby can influence the course of the disease.

The molecules then form the basis for the development of first-in-class medicines against these bone and joint diseases. This approach is expected to yield a breakthrough in treatment by stopping the disease rather than just treating the symptoms. Pre-clinical development has started on the first rheumatoid arthritis candidate compound, with the aim to initiate a clinical Phase I trial in early 2009.

BioFocus DPI, Galapagos' services division, meets the pharma industry’s need for drug discovery tools and expertise by providing a full range of drug discovery services, from target discovery through to delivery of pre-clinical candidates.  The main business areas of BioFocus DPI include informatics; biology (target discovery and screening), compound libraries, medicinal chemistry and ADMET services. BioFocus DPI currently serves more than 30 large pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies in Europe, North America, and Japan. With its operations in the UK, The Netherlands, Switzerland, the USA and a sales office in Japan, BioFocus DPI is well positioned to support this client base.