BioFocus announced today that it has signed a collaboration agreement with Astellas Pharma Inc. focused on discovering novel targets in the field of CNS disorders.  Under the agreement, BioFocus will utilize its SilenceSelect^® target discovery platform to deliver validated targets to enhance the Astellas neurology pipeline and will receive research funding and success payments based on the progress of the collaboration.  

"We are delighted to support Astellas Pharma in its research" said Dr Chris Newton, SVP Galapagos Services and Managing Director BioFocus.  "Our target discovery offering allows clients to access a unique platform providing rapid identification of novel targets through a proven technology".


About Astellas

Astellas Pharma Inc., located in Tokyo, Japan, is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceuticals. Astellas has approximately 16,000 employees worldwide. The organization is committed to becoming a global category leader in Urology, Immunology including Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Oncology, Neuroscience, DM Complications and Metabolic Diseases. For more information on Astellas Pharma Inc., please visit the company website at www.astellas.com/en.

About BioFocus

BioFocus aims to expand its partners' drug pipelines by accelerating the gene-to-drug candidate discovery process.  This is achieved through a comprehensive discovery platform, which includes target discovery in human primary cells, focused as well as diverse compound libraries, in vitro and cell-based screening, structural biology, medicinal chemistry, ADME/PK services, supported by unique chemogenomic and informatics tools, and compound library acquisition, storage and distribution services.  As a service division of Galapagos, BioFocus has over 245 employees in four countries worldwide.  For more information visit www.biofocus.com.

BioFocus^® and SilenceSelect^® are trademarks of Galapagos NV and/or its affiliates © Copyright 2011 Galapagos NV.