April 24 (Reuters) - GALAPAGOS NV GLPG.AS :
* ANNOUNCED ON TUESDAY INITIATION OF GECKO
* GECKO IS A PHASE 2 STUDY TESTING A SUBCUTANEOUS FORMULATION OF MOR106 IN COMBINATION WITH TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS IN PATIENTS WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE ATOPIC DERMATITIS
* RECRUITMENT WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE U.S. AND CANADA
* STUDY IS INTENDED TO SERVE AS AN IND (INVESTIGATIONAL NEW DRUG) OPENER WITH THE U.S. FDA