Should I buy Galapagos stock in 2025?

What is Galapagos?

How much is the Galapagos stock?

The price of Galapagos stock is slightly down this week. As of now, Galapagos is trading at €25.70 per share, with a 24-hour change of -0.14% and a weekly decline of 1.08%. The current market capitalization stands at €1.69 billion, while the average daily volume over the past 3 months is approximately 352,180 shares.

Galapagos does not currently report a P/E Ratio due to ongoing losses, and no dividend is paid (yield 0%). The stock’s beta is low, ranging from -0.05 to 0.62, suggesting below-average volatility. This stability, combined with significant cash reserves, may interest South African investors seeking exposure to global biotech with controlled risk.

Our full analysis on the Galapagos stock

Having carefully reviewed Galapagos NV’s most recent financial results and tracked the stock’s performance over the last three years, our team has synthesized key financial, technical, and market intelligence from multiple sources—including peer benchmarking and sectoral trends—via proprietary algorithms. The convergence of supportive valuation metrics, robust pipeline catalysts, and evolving market structure presents a compelling narrative around Galapagos’s renewed strategic positioning. So, why might Galapagos stock once again become a strategic entry point into the global biotechnology sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Galapagos (Euronext Amsterdam: GLPG, NASDAQ: GLPG) has delivered a moderately positive performance against a dynamic backdrop. Closing at €25.70 on Euronext and $29.09 on NASDAQ as of 30 May 2025, the stock has advanced 3.45% over six months and 6.99% over the past year. Notably, this steady upward momentum is occurring amidst a sector-wide revival in high-innovation biotech names, with institutional investors refocusing on companies with compelling late-stage development programs and fortress balance sheets.

Several recent developments reinforce Galapagos’s mid- to long-term narrative:

• Positive Clinical Milestones: In 2025, the first US patient was treated in the pivotal ATALANTA-1 study for GLPG5101, targeting mantle cell lymphoma—a significant step for its next-generation CAR-T platform.
• Strategic Restructuring: Despite near-term operational losses, the company’s €111 million restructuring in Q1 2025 has strategically reset cost bases while accelerating the focus on scalable cell therapy.
• Market Consensus: Analyst consensus targets envisage a 30% potential upside from current levels, with a price target of $28.24, reflecting enduring confidence in the medium-term value proposition.

Macroeconomically, the global biotechnology sector continues to benefit from favorable capital flows, regulatory innovation incentives, and a burgeoning demand for breakthrough cell-based therapies. Especially for investors in South Africa seeking non-resource, globally diversified opportunities, Galapagos stands out within Euronext and NASDAQ tech-health clusters.

Technical Analysis

Technical signals as of end-May 2025 present a picture of stabilizing strength and emerging bullish bias:

• Momentum Indicators:
• RSI (14-day): 50.1 (neutral)—indicative of equilibrium, suggesting limited downside risk and ample headroom for upward moves.
• MACD: Marginally negative at -0.01 (slight selling pressure), but converging toward a possible bullish crossover.
• Moving Averages:
• MA5 (€25.65), MA20 (€25.70), MA50 (€25.68), MA100 (€25.19), and MA200 (€24.33) all signal “Buy,” reflecting a robust medium-term structure with the current price holding above key moving averages.
• Support & Resistance:
• Strong support seen at €25.40–€25.47, with minor resistance at €25.74–€25.94. The current consolidation just above support offers an attractive technical base.
• Comprehensive Technical View:
• “Strong Buy” overall signal based on 16 technical indicators (with 11 out of 12 moving averages in “Buy” territory), enhancing confidence in a sustainable reversal pattern.

This setup suggests Galapagos is currently trading at or near a support zone, potentially entering a new bullish phase as technical momentum aligns with improving fundamentals.

Fundamental Analysis

Galapagos’s 2025 first-quarter results highlight a company in rapid strategic transition, but with robust underpinnings:

• Revenue Growth:
• Q1 2025 revenues surged 20% year-on-year to €75 million, underscoring accelerating adoption of critical pipeline assets and diversified income streams—even as traditional revenue sources transition.
• Profitability Dynamics:
• Operational and net losses for the quarter (€158.7 million and €153.4 million respectively) reflect exceptional, one-off restructuring costs (€111 million), including progressive repositioning and early termination of legacy collaborations.
• Valuation Advantage:
• Price-to-Sales (TTM) ratio at 5.85—attractive relative to many biotech peers with comparable clinical stage portfolios.
• Price-to-Book at a low 0.61—undervalued on book value metrics, particularly when considering the company’s €3.3 billion cash position.
• Financial Fortress:
• Cash and equivalents of €3.3 billion as of March 2025, with baseline funding secured through 2028, offering rare visibility in a capital-intensive sector.
• Strategic Expansion:
• Clear path to monetization embedded in advanced cell therapy pipeline (notably CAR-T assets), with a decentralized manufacturing platform and expansion opportunities in high-growth markets like China.

Galapagos’s innovative edge is accentuated by its leaner post-restructuring model and the unique “vein-to-vein” production cycle (7 days only), positioning it at the vanguard of next-generation oncology solutions.

Volume and Liquidity

Trading volume remains robust, with an average 352,180 shares exchanged daily over the last quarter, signifying high institutional interest and strong liquidity:

• Market Confidence:
• Sustained participation across Euronext and NASDAQ signals broad investor confidence and helps minimize volatility for new entrants.
• Favorable Float:
• With approximately 49.2 million shares in public float and 65.9 million outstanding, the stock structure supports dynamic price discovery without undue supply-side pressure.

The healthy float and active trading environment bode well for both tactical and strategic positioning, offering liquidity attractive to both active and long-term investors.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Galapagos’s outlook is defined by a convergence of high-impact catalysts and supportive sectoral trends:

• Near-Term Catalysts:
• Imminent completion of the group’s strategic separation into two listed public entities by mid-2025, anticipated to unlock latent shareholder value and enhance operational focus.
• Ongoing phase advancement of the GLPG5101 pivotal program for mantle cell lymphoma, targeting regulatory submission in 2028.
• Innovation Drivers:
• Decentralized cell therapy manufacturing delivers scalability and rapid clinical deployment—directly addressing bottlenecks common in advanced therapy rollouts.
• Geographic and Strategic Expansion:
• Accelerated growth into China, one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing healthcare markets.
• Deepening global partnerships with sector giants Lonza, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Adaptimmune—enhancing pipeline success probabilities and commercial reach.
• ESG and Regulatory Tailwinds:
• Biotech sector remains a priority for regulatory fast tracking and for ESG-focused capital, given its focus on critical unmet medical needs and operational transparency.

Sector rotation into innovative biotech, along with Galapagos’s sharper business focus and the prospect of sustainable earnings inflection post-restructuring, highlight the company’s potential for outperformance.

Investment Strategies

Given the multi-dimensional setup Galapagos currently exhibits, several entry scenarios emerge for investors seeking exposure to secular biotechnology growth:

• Short-Term (Tactical):
• The stock’s current proximity to major support levels, with technical momentum building, offers short-term traders an attractive risk/reward setup for a bounce or initial trend reversal, especially around the €25.40–€25.47 support range.
• Medium-Term (Catalyst-Driven):
• With imminent corporate separation and evolving clinical data expected over the next 6–12 months, medium-term investors can position ahead of clearly defined value unlocks tied to pipeline progress and operational refocus.
• Long-Term (Strategic Core Holding):
• For those seeking exposure to the full Galapagos transformation, current levels may provide an advantageous entry into a company equipped with cash runway through 2028, a best-in-class cell therapy platform, and the potential to develop into a global biotech leader.

In all three cases, current technical and fundamental alignment suggests increased probability of favorable outcomes, with technical lows acting as natural entry points and defined catalysts set to drive value realization.

Is it the Right Time to Buy Galapagos?

To summarize, Galapagos combines a suite of attractive investment features:

• Strong and improving technical signals—the stock is consolidating at support, with all major moving averages confirming nascent bullish momentum.
• Deep value on core financial metrics—compelling price-to-book and price-to-sales ratios, paired with an exceptional cash position relative to market cap.
• Clearly identified growth catalysts, from pivotal clinical trials and strategic corporate actions to enhanced manufacturing capabilities and global market expansion.
• Solid liquidity and investor structure, ensuring access for all market participants and mitigating transitory volatility.

Although management transitions and temporary restructuring costs merit monitoring, these are mitigated by robust institutional oversight and a clear strategic roadmap.

For South African and international investors who prioritize innovation-led growth, capital preservation, and favorable sector dynamics, Galapagos seems to represent an excellent opportunity, poised at the intersection of technical strength, strategic transformation, and accelerating pipeline potential.

As Galapagos embarks on its next chapter, the alignment of supportive technical patterns, robust fundamentals, and imminent catalysts makes this stock one to watch closely; for those seeking exposure to the cutting edge of global biotech, the current environment may well justify a renewed and optimistic consideration of Galapagos as a core portfolio candidate.

How to buy Galapagos stock in South Africa?

Buying shares in Galapagos NV (GLPG) online is more accessible and secure than ever for South African investors, thanks to regulated stockbrokers that operate under strict local and international standards. You have two straightforward options: buy shares outright (“spot buying”) to become a direct shareholder, or trade Contracts for Difference (CFDs) for leveraged exposure without owning the underlying asset. Each method has its advantages depending on your goals and risk profile. Choosing the right broker is essential for a smooth experience—discover a comparison of leading options further down this page.

Spot buying

Spot buying means purchasing Galapagos (GLPG) shares directly on an exchange like Euronext Amsterdam or NASDAQ via a regulated broker. As a shareholder, you own the underlying shares and may benefit from any capital gains. Brokers usually charge a fixed commission per order, typically ranging from R100 to R250, depending on the platform.

Example

If the Galapagos share price is $29.09 (NASDAQ price) and the ZAR/USD exchange rate is 18.50, that’s approximately R538 per share. With a R19,000 stake (about $1,000), you could buy roughly 35 shares (R18,830), accounting for a brokerage fee of around R170.

Gain scenario

Result: If the share price rises by 10%, your position’s value increases from R19,000 to about R20,900. That’s a gross gain of +R1,900, or +10% on your investment (excluding currency fluctuations and minor additional fees).

Trading via CFD

CFD trading allows you to speculate on the price movement of Galapagos shares without owning them outright. With CFDs, you enter an agreement with your broker to exchange the difference in GLPG’s price from entry to exit. Fees usually include the spread (difference between buy/sell prices) and overnight financing costs if you hold leveraged positions for more than a day.

Example

You open a CFD position for Galapagos shares with R19,000 and choose 5x leverage: your market exposure is now R95,000.

Gain scenario

Result: If the share price rises by 8%, your total position appreciates by 8% × 5 = 40%. That’s a gain of +R7,600 on your original R19,000 stake (excluding spreads and overnight fees). Remember, leverage can amplify both gains and losses.

Final advice

Before investing, it’s important to compare brokers’ fees, market access, customer support, and platform reliability—as conditions can vary widely. The best method depends on your individual investment goals, risk appetite, and whether you prefer ownership (spot buying) or flexibility and leverage (CFDs). Explore our broker comparison below to find a solution that matches your needs and start your Galapagos investment journey confidently.

Our 7 tips for buying Galapagos stock

The latest news about Galapagos

Galapagos’ technical indicators reaffirm a "Strong Buy" signal for the stock as of 30 May 2025. Technical analysis highlights a robust upward momentum with 11 buy signals among moving averages and 5 buy indications from principal technical indicators, despite a somewhat neutral RSI at 50.10 and a marginal sell signal from the MACD. The stock currently hovers near its resistance levels (€25,74–€25,94), suggesting continued investor interest and potential for further upside. These signals are particularly relevant for South African institutional investors seeking non-cyclical healthcare exposure on European bourses.

Galapagos reported a 20% year-on-year revenue increase in Q1 2025, indicating operational growth. Despite a net loss of €153,4 million triggered by exceptional restructuring costs, the significant revenue improvement—to €75 million—demonstrates progress in core business activities and an expanding commercial footprint. For South African investors focused on growth stories in biotechnology, this marks Galapagos as a company with resilient underlying revenues, supported by a strong pipeline and active product development.

Galapagos’ decentralised CAR-T manufacturing platform and pipeline receive strategic backing via global partnerships. The biotech firm has secured collaborations with Lonza, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Adaptimmune, enhancing its competitive positioning in next-generation cell therapy. The tie-ups support Galapagos’ rapid seven-day vein-to-vein CAR-T production cycle, which aligns with global trends towards personalised and scalable therapies—an approach gaining traction in both developed and emerging healthcare markets, including South Africa’s innovation-driven private sector.

The company’s solid financial position ensures funding for its growth strategy through at least 2028. With €3,3 billion in cash and marketable securities and a reduced burn rate expected post-spin-off, Galapagos is well-capitalised to continue R&D, pipeline expansion, and international partnerships without requiring dilutive capital raises. For South Africa’s institutional asset allocators, this enhances the stock’s risk profile relative to more highly leveraged biotech peers—key for long-term holdings.

The planned mid-2025 separation into two public entities could unlock value and create focused investment profiles. Galapagos will split its cell therapy and immunology businesses to accelerate value creation, a move supported by analysts as structurally positive. This strategic realignment mirrors global trends in biopharma corporate structure and may lead to more targeted portfolio options for South African investors interested in either high-potential cell therapy or mature immunology assets listed on major international exchanges.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.