Galapagos NV and Gilead Sciences announced a new partnership to advance the T‑cell engager program OM336 (gamgertamig) from Ouro Medicines, a company Gilead has just agreed to acquire for $1.675 billion in cash with up to $500 million in milestone payments. The collaboration centers on OM336, a BCMA‑targeted bispecific antibody that aims to deplete B cells and plasma cells, potentially inducing durable, drug‑free remission in severe antibody‑mediated autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenia. OM336 has already earned Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designations from the U.S. FDA, positioning it for accelerated development and potential market entry in 2027.
Under the new terms, Galapagos will be able to exempt an initial $500 million of its cash from the obligations of its 2019 Option, License and Collaboration Agreement (OLCA) with Gilead. This exemption allows Galapagos to deploy that capital for independent acquisitions or development projects outside the OLCA framework, while a cap of $150 million limits the amount that can be used for share repurchases, dividends or other distributions. The arrangement preserves Galapagos’ ability to pursue high‑potential assets while still benefiting from Gilead’s technical due diligence and potential co‑investment in OM336.
The partnership signals a strategic pivot for Galapagos toward a capital‑allocation model. By freeing up cash that would otherwise be tied to the OLCA, Galapagos can accelerate its business‑development agenda and pursue acquisitions that align with its long‑term growth objectives. For Gilead, the deal expands its inflammation portfolio beyond its core HIV and oncology focus, adding a first‑in‑class T‑cell engager that could open new revenue streams in the autoimmune disease market. The collaboration also leverages Gilead’s established commercialization infrastructure, with Gilead retaining worldwide rights (except Greater China) and paying Galapagos royalties of 20‑23% of net sales.
Dietmar Berger, Gilead’s Chief Medical Officer, said, “This acquisition underscores our commitment to advancing transformative therapies for people living with serious autoimmune diseases. BCMA is a validated target with emerging data demonstrating potentially transformative outcomes in autoimmune diseases. BCMA‑targeted T cell engagers represent a differentiated approach with the potential to induce durable disease control. This novel framework complements our expanding inflammation pipeline and reflects our strategy to invest in innovative science that may redefine standards of care.”
OM336 is currently in Phase 1/2 clinical studies and is expected to enter registrational studies in 2027. The program’s unique “immune reset” mechanism—depleting pathogenic B cells while sparing other immune components—offers a potential advantage over existing immunosuppressive therapies, which often require lifelong administration. The collaboration positions both companies to accelerate clinical development, share risk, and ultimately bring a novel therapeutic option to patients with limited treatment choices.
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