B&L and Galapagos collaborate on ophthalmic research

Bausch & Lomb, a US eye health company, and Galapagos NV, a Belgium-based drug discovery firm, have entered into a collaborative research agreement. The US group will have the exclusive option to license select Galapagos compounds as development candidates for therapeutic uses in ophthalmic diseases.

"The agreement provides access to a group of compounds that may have excellent development candidate potential," said Praveen Tyle, chief scientific officer, B&L, noting that "the small-molecule compounds under evaluation have very attractive in vitro and in vivo profiles. Our intent is to develop these compounds as unique therapies, tapping our research expertise in ophthalmic diseases."

B&L is responsible for the preclinical and clinical development of the select compounds for use in ophthalmic diseases. Under the terms of the deal, Galapagos will receive an upfront payment of $400,000 and may get research funding to support B&L's further development of the compounds for ophthalmic uses, plus future milestone payments. Pending successful development and commercialization under the license, the potential total value of the payments exceeds $50.0 million, plus royalties on the commercial sale of licensed products.