At the occasion of the launch of the 2019/2020 Euronext TechShare programme in Rotterdam in September, Euronext had the opportunity to interview the CEO of one of Europe’s largest biotech companies: Galapagos’s Onno van de Stolpe.
Galapagos specialises in the discovery and development of small molecule medicines with novel modes of action, seeking to develop a portfolio of clinical-stage breakthrough therapies to revolutionise existing treatment paradigms. Their public ambition is to become a global leading biopharmaceutical company, focused on the discovery, development and commercialisation of novel medicines that will improve people’s lives.
When the company first launched in 1999, it was as a joint venture between Crucell and Tibotec, looking for strategic alliances and partnerships to assist its growth and promote its core mission to potential investors. Within the next 20 years, it grew exponentially, to employ over 600 and boast a market capitalisation in excess of €10 billion.
In this exclusive interview, van de Stolpe shares the landmarks and stages of Galapagos’ impressive evolution in the past 20 years.