News

Belgium biotechnology company Galapagos has made changes at the top as it prepares to split into two separate entities.

Under plans announced at the beginning of this year the legacy Galapagos will continue to focus on cell therapies in high unmet medical needs in oncology, while a new company – named, for now, XYZ SpinCo – will build an innovative medicine pipeline.

The new SpinCo will be led by Henry Gosebruch as its chief executive officer. He joins with extensive experience in business development and mergers and acquisitions. Most recently Gosebruch served as CEO of Neumora and previously held senior positions at AbbVie and J.P. Morgan.

He said: “I am honoured to take on the role of founding CEO of SpinCo. I look forward to forming a world-class team and pursuing transformational opportunities in innovative medicines that can bring meaningful therapies to patients in need, while unlocking significant value for our shareholders.”

Gosebruch will lead a company with a €2.45bn war chest to pursue its mission of building a pipeline that could cover oncology, immunology and virology and for which Galapagos will gain full global development and commercialisation rights.

Dr Paul Stoffels, CEO and chair of the board of directors at Galapagos, said: “Henry’s appointment marks a key milestone as we progress on our planned separation. His extensive biotech experience, leadership and track record in creating shareholder value through M&A and business development will be of significant value to SpinCo, as it focuses on building a differentiated pipeline of innovative medicines with robust proof of concept.”

Meanwhile, Dr Stoffels plans to step down as CEO once his successor is appointed, a process that’s expected to be finalised within the next 12 months. He then intends to continue as chair of the board, subject to reappointment at the 2026 annual general meeting.

Ahead of that Galapagos’ current CFO and COO Thad Huston will depart, leaving the company in August to return to the US for personal and professional reasons.