At Galapagos, we put patients’ care and well-being first and foremost. Our goal is to expand and improve patients’ quality of life through life-changing science and innovation. Discover how we are committed to pioneering for patients, with patients!
We firmly believe that through collaboration, we can create a better future for all. That’s why we work hand-in-hand with patients to unlock new treatment solutions that can transform the lives of people living with inflammatory diseases and cancer and help them better manage their conditions.
We want to empower patients and caregivers by giving them a voice as we continually strive to push the boundaries of medical research.
Hear from Manuela, one of our Galapagos patient advocacy leaders, as she explains what Health Literacy is, and why it matters so much to us.
Heidi Muller
Head of Patient Advocacy
The Patient Partnership Charter is a shining example of the power of co-creation between industry and the patient community. Patients have been at heart of the development process, from the inception of the strategy to its execution, ensuring that their needs and expectations have been taken into account throughout.
In a continued effort to put patients at the heart of everything we do, we established the Patient Engagement Council (PEC) in June 2022. This council consists of patient organization representatives and independent patient advisors who co-created our Patient Partnership Charter. It serves as a consultative body and knowledge exchange platform to advance patient engagement-related topics. The insights collected through this platform inform various strategies and tactics across a number of departments at Galapagos.
Hear from Nicola Bedlington, PEC chair, who explains the PEC’s view on how Galapagos is evolving patient engagement at the company
We work with patient organizations with a shared goal:
to empower patients and ensure their voice is heard at all levels
We know that the patient’s voice is also essential to raise disease awareness and generate a better understanding for those living close to patients. By sharing patient stories, we try to help making their voices heard. Discover our latest patient testimonies, and get inspired by their courage, resilience and positivity, despite facing significant challenges in life.
Dr. Brian Koffman
lives with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
There is the mistaken impression that CLL is largely a solved problem. While acknowledging the progress, we see remaining unmet needs, for example treatments for patients with Richter’s Transformation, immune system reconstitution and curative – not palliative – therapies for all CLL patients. To use a baseball analogy: please don’t leave us stranded on third base.
Benita
lives with dermatomyositis (DM)
My hope for the future and living with this disease is that I’ll get at least more stability and I’ll be able to travel again. I want to be able to spend time with my friends and family more without having to worry that I might catch something from them, so my hope is that there would be better medications to get me to that point and there would be greater awareness that people will not have to go so long to get the help they need.
Annemarie
lives with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
A lot of lupus patients don’t look sick. We don’t want to look sick, but we are sick. If there is more awareness about the disease and how it is to live with it, lupus patients will be more accepted and understood. My hope for the future is that one day there will be a treatment that will help lupus patients have a better quality of life and the possibility to live normal lives.
Bridging the gap
At Galapagos, we also create opportunities for our employees to connect directly with patients. This not only drives a better understanding of patient’s experience and journey in living with and managing a particular disease, but also creates a sense of purpose for our employees.
One of the ways we do this is through internal ‘Meet the Expert’ sessions that we we host on an ongoing basis in partnership with various patient organizations.
This is really valuable. You learn a lot
It is giving me the opportunity to put everything I do into perspective
I felt I had real insights into the diseases.
This is really valuable. You learn a lot.
Request Medical Information
Galapagos’ Medical Information department provides information on Galapagos medicines in response to unsolicited requests. Our responses to patients, caregivers and patient organizations are based on publicly available information, including the Patient Information Leaflet.
As a regulated function, Galapagos’ Medical Information is not allowed to provide you with any personal guidance or advice about the management of your condition, or your suitability for participation in one of our clinical trials. Please speak to your doctor as she/he will be familiar with your medical condition and history, and is in the best position to provide you with advice about treatment options.
As a science-driven biotech, we have always worked closely with a variety of stakeholders in the scientific and healthcare sector, including Patient Associations. We are proud of our collaborative spirit and will remain transparent about our research and business practices to our stakeholders.