By Matt Grossman

Galapagos NV and Gilead Sciences Inc. said Wednesday that they have halted their Phase 3 trials studying the use of ziritaxestat, an autotaxin inhibitor, as a treatment for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

The decision is based on a recommendation from the trial's independent data-monitoring committee, the companies said. The committee concluded that the drug's benefit-risk profile did not support continuing the study.

The Phase 3 program consisted of two trials that aimed to enroll 1,500 patients combined. Patients were randomized to receive varying dose amounts of ziritaxestat or a placebo while they continued standard-of-care background treatment.

Write to Matt Grossman at matt.grossman@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

02-10-21 0925ET