Under the terms of the agreement, Galapagos stands to receive up to $2.4 million in upfront and research fees over the next two years, and up to $5.7 million in success-based milestone payments, should certain clinical development criteria be met.
Specifically, the collaboration aims to identify small molecules derived from natural sources that improve the function of a defective protein found in people who have cystic fibrosis. The protein is called cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). To advance the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis, CFFT funds promising scientific research in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry and academia worldwide.
Robert Beall, president and CEO of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, said: “By exploring compounds derived from natural sources, our goal is to increase the number and diversity of drug candidates in development to treat cystic fibrosis.”