BioFocus DPI announced today that it has initiated a drug discovery collaboration with Schering-Plough Research Institute (SPRI). Under the terms of the agreement, BioFocus DPI will perform medicinal chemistry with supporting biology and ADME/PK services for multiple Schering-Plough drug discovery projects. Total contract value for BioFocus DPI is €2.8 M over a one year period.

Building on a collaboration established in May 2009 and expanded in September 2009, BioFocus DPI scientists will work with two of SPRI’s European sites on these drug discovery projects.

“We are pleased to build on our collaborative relationship with SPRI, which has evolved into one of the larger for BioFocus DPI this year with over 20 research staff currently engaged,” said Onno van de Stolpe, CEO of Galapagos. “BioFocus DPI has proven resilient in securing large collaborations with strong partners, amidst consolidation and reorganization in the pharma industry.”

About BioFocus DPI
BioFocus DPI 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 the service division of Galapagos, BioFocus DPI has over 250 employees in four countries worldwide.

For further information, please visit www.biofocusdpi.com.