Alliance between Almirall and BioFocus to identify new compounds directed against therapeutic targets.

Barcelona, November 2011- Almirall, S.A. and BioFocus announce the signing of a collaboration agreement to move forward in the search for new molecules directed against relevant targets of interest for Almirall. These molecules are used to support projects aimed at the treatment of respiratory and inflammatory diseases.

Under the agreement, BioFocus apply their screening technologies and their collections of compounds to the projects that has underway Almirall.

Dr. Bertil Lindmark, Executive Director of r & d of Almirall, asserts that we have been impressed by the advanced technology employed by BioFocus, as well as the experience of the scientists involved in the projects. Therefore, we are convinced that this agreement leverage our internal resources and this will allow us to accelerate our research programmes of new drugs for the treatment of respiratory and inflammatory diseases ”.

Dr. Kate Hilyard, Vice President of biological sciences of BioFocus, stresses that this drug discovery partnership with one of the main companies of pharmaceutical research at European level is of great interest to us. ”

Almirall

Almirall is an international pharmaceutical company based on innovation and committed to health. With headquarters in Barcelona (Spain), Almirall researches, develops, produces and sells drugs own r & d and licensing with the aim of improving the health and well-being of people.

The therapeutic areas in which concentrates its resources in research are related to the treatment of asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), gastrointestinal disorders, psoriasis and other skin complaints forms.

Almirall drugs are currently present in over 70 countries. It has direct presence in Europe and Latin America through 12 subsidiaries.

BioFocus

BioFocus provides drug discovery solutions through a comprehensive platform led by specialized equipment with a career in the discovery of candidate genes to clinic. BioFocus offers the discovery of objectives in human primary cells, libraries of compounds both focused as diverse, so screening medical in vitro as based on cells, structural biology, chemistry and ADME/PK supported by tools services quimiogenómicas and unique computer. As the Services Division of the Galapagos, BioFocus now has 210 employees with facilities for research in three countries.

BioFocus ® is a trademark of Galapagos NV and/or its subsidiaries.