Galapagos Genomics NV, the Belgian functional genomics company, has broadened its functional genomics collaboration with Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals (P&GP), a division of The Procter & Gamble Company, in which P&GP will use the Galapagos' adenoviral gene expression technology to validate the utility of genes as novel drug targets in endocrinology, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases. This new agreement will serve as an extension to the collaboration the parties entered into in October 2001.

Under the terms of the agreement, Galapagos will provide P&GP with adenoviruses containing human genes selected by P&GP. Galapagos will construct these viral expression vectors using its PhenoSelect gene expression platform. P&GP will use the viruses to introduce and express newly discovered genes in disease relevant human cells to study the function of the corresponding proteins. Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.

"We are very pleased that P&GP has decided to further expand our current relationship." said Onno van de Stolpe, CEO of Galapagos. "This new collaboration again proves the power of the Galapagos adenoviral expression platform for cost-effective and rapid target identification and validation applications."

"Galapagos has successfully executed the initial contract and the adenoviruses have helped us validating our proprietary targets" said Dr. Larry Games, Procter & Gamble Vice President, Research and Development, Global Pharmaceuticals. "We are pleased to broaden our collaboration with Galapagos, and will use their PhenoSelect technology to assist in the invention of important new therapeutic agents."