Abbott has gained rights to Galapagos’ rheumatoid arthritis (RA) drug candidate GLPG0634 as part of a collaboration worth as much as US$1.35 B. Galapagos will receive US$150 M upfront and US$200 M upon successful completion of Phase II trials for RA, at which point Abbott will license the drug and assume sole responsibility for clinical development and global manufacturing. The deal ranks as the largest to date for a single Phase II asset and provides Abbott with a potential oral successor to Humira® (adalimumab).