J&J banks on Achillion for leg up in next-generation hep C drug race

Achillion has ended speculation (some of it self-generated) that it is fending off potential acquisitors from within the hepatitis C space by signing a significant collaboration with Johnson & Johnson's Janssen unit. J&J will be hoping that the deal catapults it to the front of the pack in the development of ultra-short-duration, pan-genotypic hepatitis C treatments.

Achillion has ended speculation (some of it self-generated) that it is fending off potential acquisitors from within the hepatitis C space by signing a significant collaboration with Johnson & Johnson's Janssen unit. J&J will be hoping that the deal catapults it to the front of the pack in the development of ultra-short-duration, pan-genotypic hepatitis C treatments.

The deal pools hepatitis C assets from both companies, with Janssen responsible for all subsequent development and commercialization. Achillion will receive up to $900m in milestones and double-digit royalties, in...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Business

Quick Listen: Scrip’s Five Must-Know Things

 
• By 

In this week's episode: a preview of major ASCO readouts; Roivant stays patient in deals; Lilly diversifies pain pipeline with SiteOne acquisition; Nucala gets US COPD nod; and women in Indian pharma.

Summit’s Ivonescimab Shows Significance On PFS, But Not Overall Survival

 
• By 

In a study intended to show similar benefit in western patients, PD-1/VEGF-targeting ivonescimab met a progression-free survival endpoint, but missed on OS.

Sanofi Bid For Second COPD Approval Hurt By Mixed Itepekimab Data

 
• By 

One Phase III trial hits but a second study misses by a mile.

Astellas Gets CLDN.18.2-Targeted ADC From China’s Evopoint

 
• By 

Astellas will pay $130m up front for near-global rights to a Phase I/II antibody-drug conjugate that will add to its portfolio of CLDN.18.2-targeted drugs, including Vyloy.

More from Scrip

ASCO: Merck’s Zilo-V Shows Activity, But Numbers Still Small

 

The drug boosted overall responses on top of the R-GemOx backbone, but the discussant pointed out that patients in waveLINE-003 were not very heavily pretreated.

Summit’s Ivonescimab Shows Significance On PFS, But Not Overall Survival

 
• By 

In a study intended to show similar benefit in western patients, PD-1/VEGF-targeting ivonescimab met a progression-free survival endpoint, but missed on OS.

Sanofi Bid For Second COPD Approval Hurt By Mixed Itepekimab Data

 
• By 

One Phase III trial hits but a second study misses by a mile.