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Biotech group Galapagos NV announced that its experimental drug for bowel disease did not meet a significant mark in the trial. The company will be ending its clinical research on GLPG1205 for ulcerative colitis.

The Belgian group stated that although the patients were able to tolerate GLPG1205 without any harmful side effects, the drug was not any more effective than a placebo at treating ulcerative colitis. The trial, called the ORIGIN study, involved 64 patients.

Galapagos stated that the drug could possibly be used in other situations. GLPG1205 is an oral drug.

Per the press release:

"The ORIGIN study results showed that GLPG1205 did not statistically significantly differentiate from placebo on (partial) Mayo scores. GLPG1205 was shown to be overall safe and well-tolerated by patients in the ORIGIN study; exposure data were in line with the healthy volunteer data from the previous Phase 1 clinical study. Further details about the ORIGIN study will be published later during 2016.

Galapagos will evaluate whether GLPG1205 will be developed in alternative indications."

GLPG1205 works by targeting a protein linked to inflammation, GPR84. Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic condition that involves inflammation in the innermost lining of the colon, also known as the large intestine, and the rectum. Since there is no cure for the disease, treatments are vital in managing the symptoms, which include bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps.

Galapagos added that it would be releasing the trial data later on this year.