BRUSSELS, April 17 (Reuters) - Belgian biotech groupGalapagos NV on Thursday said it has successfullyconcluded the phase 2a study of a skin disease drug it isdeveloping with Britain's GlaxoSmithKline PLC.
Galapagos tested drug GSK2586184 on 66 patients with chronicpsoriasis and observed a 75 percent improvement in significantlymore patients than in the placebo group.
GSK, which owns the drug's commercial rights, will decidewhether to proceed with clinical trials, Galapagos said in astatement.
Galapagos said it could receive a milestone payment of up to34 million euros ($46.94 million) as well as double-digitroyalties as the programme proceeds towards commercialisation.
($1 = 0.7243 Euros) (Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; Editing by ChristopherCushing)