Johnson & Johnson unit indicates interest in acquiring Galapagos shares

In connection with Belgian clinical-stage biotech company Galapagos’ (Euronext: GLPG) global offering being conducted, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, a unit of US health care giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) has indication an interest in purchasing the euro equivalent of $25 million of ordinary shares in the global offering.

Shares of Galapagos rose nearly 3% to 38.10 euros in mid-morning trading today. According to media reports, not yet confirmed by the Belgian firm, US drugmaker AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) has also ordered $30 million on shares in the initial public offering (IPO).

Galapagos’ pipeline comprises three Phase II clinical programs, two Phase I trials, five pre-clinical studies, and 20 discovery small-molecule and antibody programs in cystic fibrosis, inflammation, and other indications.