Galapagos NV Appoints Fred Blakeslee As General Counsel To Strengthen Its Global Legal And Corporate Strategy

Galapagos NV has announced the appointment of Fred Blakeslee as Executive Vice President and General Counsel, effective October 16, 2025. He succeeds Valeria Cnossen, who will depart from the company following a brief transition period.

Commenting on the appointment, Henry Gosebruch, Chief Executive Officer of Galapagos, said, “We are very pleased to welcome Fred to our executive team. He brings an exceptional combination of legal expertise, international business transaction experience, and strategic insight into the biopharmaceutical landscape. His extensive experience negotiating complex partnerships and acquisitions, coupled with his collaborative leadership style and dedication to patient-focused innovation, will be instrumental as we continue our company’s transformation.”

Gosebruch also expressed appreciation for Ms. Cnossen’s service, adding, “On behalf of the leadership team and the Board of Directors, I want to thank Valeria for her strong leadership and many contributions over the past three years. We wish her continued success in her future endeavors.”

Fred Blakeslee joins Galapagos from AbbVie, where he most recently held the position of Vice President, Transactions, Legal. In this role, he led global legal teams responsible for business development and alliance management, overseeing high-profile mergers, acquisitions, and strategic collaborations. His notable achievements include leading legal efforts for AbbVie’s $63 billion acquisition of Allergan PLC and advising on major transactions with companies such as Boehringer Ingelheim, ImmunoGen, and Genmab.

Earlier in his career, Blakeslee worked at the law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP before taking on senior positions at other leading firms, where he specialized in private equity, corporate, and securities law across various industries, including biopharmaceuticals. He earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Northwestern University School of Law, and holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Political Science, magna cum laude, from The Ohio State University. Based in Chicago, Illinois, he is also fluent in French.

Sharing his excitement about joining Galapagos, Blakeslee said, “I am honored to join Galapagos at such an important time in its evolution. I look forward to working with Henry and the talented team to shape the company’s next phase of growth, deliver long-term shareholder value, and advance innovative solutions that can make a real difference in patients’ lives through strategic business development initiatives.”