Galapagos Receives Transparency Notification from Bank of America
MWN-AI** Summary
On February 16, 2026, Galapagos NV (Euronext & NASDAQ: GLPG) announced it received a transparency notification from Bank of America regarding its shareholding in the company. This notification is in compliance with Belgian transparency legislation, which mandates disclosures when a shareholder crosses significant ownership thresholds in a publicly traded company.
According to the details, Bank of America Corporation exceeded the 5% voting rights threshold on February 9, 2026, rising to a total of 5.34%. This accumulation includes both direct voting rights and equivalent financial instruments. As of February 11, 2026, Bank of America controlled 104,522 direct voting rights alongside 3,415,894 equivalent financial instruments—amounting to influence over 3,520,416 voting rights out of Galapagos' total of 65,897,071 shares.
The breakdown of voting rights indicates that Bank of America’s acquisition included a variety of financial instruments, such as rights to recall and swaps, demonstrating a strategic move to increase their control within Galapagos. This adjustment in their stake signifies a notable investment from a significant financial entity, potentially affecting future corporate governance and strategic directives at Galapagos.
The notification emphasizes the importance of transparency in financial markets and provides critical information for investors and analysts monitoring Galapagos. As they delve into Bank of America's role, market participants will likely assess how this increased stake could impact Galapagos’ direction and shareholder value moving forward. For inquiries and further details, Galapagos has provided contact information for its Investor Relations and media representatives, reinforcing their commitment to stakeholder communication and engagement.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Galapagos NV (Euronext & NASDAQ: GLPG) recently announced a significant transparency notification from Bank of America, indicating that the financial institution now holds over 5% of Galapagos’ voting rights. This change, noted on February 9, 2026, aligns with the Belgian transparency legislation and reflects Bank of America’s increased investment in the company.
With Bank of America's holdings reaching approximately 5.34% of the total shares, investors need to consider the implications of this acquisition. A stake of this size suggests Bank of America sees value in Galapagos, potentially for strategic investment purposes or long-term growth expectations in the biotech sector. The financial instruments involved, including rights of use and swaps totaling over 3.4 million equivalent financial instruments, indicate a strong financial backing and confidence in Galapagos' future.
From a market perspective, this could be a bullish indicator for Galapagos. Increased institutional ownership is often associated with stability and potential upward price movement, as it reflects confidence from major investors. Moreover, Bank of America's interest may open doors for further partnerships, collaborations, or investment opportunities for Galapagos, reinforcing its market position.
However, investors should still exercise caution. The overall market environment, including regulatory challenges and sector volatility, can impact share prices. It's essential to monitor Galapagos' performance closely, especially in relation to any upcoming clinical trial results or regulatory approvals, which could significantly influence valuations.
Investors are advised to consider gradually entering or accumulating positions in Galapagos shares, particularly if they align with a long-term growth strategy. Moreover, keeping abreast of further disclosures from Bank of America can provide insights into future market movements and investor sentiment surrounding Galapagos.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Mechelen, Belgium; February 16, 2026, 22:01 CET; regulated information – Galapagos NV (Euronext & NASDAQ: GLPG) received a transparency notification from Bank of America.
Pursuant to Belgian transparency legislation1, Galapagos received a transparency notification on February 11, 2026, from Bank of America Corporation. The notification indicates that Bank of America Corporation, as controlling entity, crossed above the threshold of 5% of Galapagos’ voting rights on February 9, 2026, including the threshold of 5% for equivalent financial instruments was exceeded, as a result of an acquisition of Galapagos’ voting rights and equivalent financial instruments.
On February 11, 2026, the Bank of America Corporation (taking into account the holding of its affiliates) owned 104,522 voting rights and 3,415,894 equivalent financial instruments, representing together 5.34% of Galapagos’ currently outstanding 65,897,071 shares.
Summary of the transaction:
| Date on which the threshold was crossed | Date of notification | Direct voting rights after the transaction | Equivalent financial instruments after the transaction | Total (%) voting rights |
| February 9, 2026 | February 11, 2026 | 0.16% | 5.18% | 5.34% |
Content of the notifications from Bank of America Corporation:
The notification dated February 11, 2026, contains the following information:
- Date of notification: February 11, 2026
- Date on which the threshold is crossed: February 9, 2026
- Threshold of voting rights crossed (in %): 5%
- Notification by: Bank of America Corporation
- Denominator: 65,897,071
- Reason for the notification: Acquisition or disposal of financial instruments that are treated as voting securities
- Notified details:
| A) Voting Rights | Previous notification | After the transaction | |||
| # of voting rights | # of voting rights | % of voting rights | |||
| Holder of voting rights | Linked to securities | Not linked to securities | Linked to securities | Not linked to securities | |
| Bank of America Corporation | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | ||
| Bank of America, National Association | 12,475 | 12,481 | 0.02% | ||
| Merrill Lynch International | 105,026 | 77,455 | 0.12% | ||
| Managed Account Advisors LLC | 3 | 3 | 0.00% | ||
| BofA Securities, Inc. | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | ||
| Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated | 14,462 | 14,462 | 0.02% | ||
| U.S. Trust Company of Delaware | 121 | 121 | 0.00% | ||
| Subtotal | 132,087 | 104,522 | 0.16% | ||
| TOTAL | 104,522 | 0 | 0.16% | 0.00% |
| B) Equivalent financial instruments | After the transaction | |||||
| Holder of equivalent financial instruments | Type of financial instrument | Expiration date | Exercise period or date | # of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised | % of voting rights | Settlement |
| Merrill Lynch International | Right to Recall | 149,680 | 0.23% | physical | ||
| BofA Securities, Inc. | Right to Recall | 29,400 | 0.04% | physical | ||
| BofA Securities, Inc. | Rights of Use | 3,013,890 | 4.57% | physical | ||
| Merrill Lynch International | Rights of Use | 1,275 | 0.00% | physical | ||
| Bank of America, National Association | Physical Call Option | 19/06/2026 | 100,000 | 0.15% | physical | |
| Bank of America, National Association | Swaps | 15/06/2026 | 12,500 | 0.02% | cash | |
| Bank of America, National Association | Swaps | 15/01/2027 | 4,216 | 0.01% | cash | |
| Bank of America, National Association | Swaps | 15/10/2027 | 15 | 0.00% | cash | |
| Bank of America, National Association | Swaps | 31/01/2028 | 651 | 0.00% | cash | |
| Bank of America, National Association | Swaps | 09/03/2026 | 29,070 | 0.04% | cash | |
| Merrill Lynch International | Swaps | 15/06/2026 | 12,500 | 0.02% | cash | |
| Merrill Lynch International | Swaps | 15/01/2027 | 15,405 | 0.02% | cash | |
| Merrill Lynch International | Swaps | 15/10/2027 | 15 | 0.00% | cash | |
| Merrill Lynch International | Swaps | 30/04/2026 | 11,000 | 0.02% | cash | |
| Merrill Lynch International | Swaps | 02/07/2026 | 1,250 | 0.00% | cash | |
| Merrill Lynch International | Swaps | 01/11/2027 | 5,230 | 0.01% | cash | |
| Merrill Lynch International | Swaps | 29/01/2027 | 415 | 0.00% | cash | |
| Merrill Lynch International | Swaps | 27/02/2026 | 312 | 0.00% | cash | |
| Merrill Lynch International | Swaps | 09/03/2026 | 29,070 | 0.04% | cash | |
| TOTAL | 3,415,894 | 5.18% |
| TOTAL (A&B) | # of voting rights | % of voting rights |
| 3,520,416 | 5.34% |
The chain of control has been described at the end of the notification (section 11) and can be found here.
For further information, contact Galapagos:
Investor Relations
Glenn Schulman
+1 412 522 6239
ir@glpg.com
Media
Media
Katie Morris
+1 952 288 6821
katiemorris@ententeinc.com
Visit us at www.glpg.com or follow us on LinkedIn or X.
1 Belgian Act of 2 May 2007 on the disclosure of major shareholdings in issuers whose shares are admitted to trading on a regulated market and regarding miscellaneous provisions, as amended from time to time.
Attachment
FAQ**
How does the increase of Bank of America’s stake to 5.34% in Galapagos Genomics Ord GLPGF potentially influence the company’s strategic direction and management decisions?
What are the implications of the transparency notification from Bank of America for other investors in Galapagos Genomics Ord GLPGF regarding their voting rights?
How might the acquisition of additional voting rights and equivalent financial instruments by Bank of America affect the overall market perception of Galapagos Genomics Ord GLPGF?
In what ways could the regulatory framework governing transparency notifications impact future investments in Galapagos Genomics Ord GLPGF by institutional investors?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Galapagos Genomics Ord (OTC: GLPGF).
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