J&J announces several new European collaborations

Johnson & Johnson has announced several new European collaborations to coincide with an event hosted by its London Innovation Centre. The event aims to discuss and advance novel collaboration models to deliver better healthcare solutions for patients around the world.

"The UK has a long tradition in using collaboration and partnership to spark new ideas and develop new advances in the life sciences. I am pleased that Johnson & Johnson have recognised that strength, and chosen London to be one of their world centres for innovation and collaboration. The UK Government is committed to creating an environment in which life sciences can thrive in the UK, as outlined in our industrial strategy. I want to see the sector continue to grow and be at the front of the global life sciences race."

Science Minister David Willetts.

The first new collaboration is a global license agreement with biotech company, Effimune, where the two companies will focus on the development and commercialization of FR104, a monoclonal antibody fragment in preclinical development for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases.

The second is an investment by J&J into Dutch biopharmaceutical company, Merus. Merus is developing a pipeline of single-cell derived human bi-specific antibodies for cancer therapy.

The third collaboration is with the Crucell Vaccine Institute, who will partner with CureVac on the development of a respiratory vaccine based on CureVac's RNActive technology.

"Investing in, collaborating with, and providing support to early-stage companies and entrepreneurs is critical to our overall strategy of advancing innovation in life science hotspots throughout the world. This exemplifies our broader R&D approach towards science-led engagement with external collaborators which we believe will accelerate the development of new healthcare solutions that bring more years of life and enhanced quality of life to people around the world."

Paul Stoffels, MD, Johnson & Johnson.