Achillion Keeps Focus On Complement Factor D Inhibitors As J&J Exits HCV

J&J's decision to stop HCV development and end its partnership with Achillion has a ripple effect for the smaller biotech's strategy.

Compass and keyboard

Johnson & Johnson’s move away from hepatitis C drug development and termination of its collaboration with Achillion Pharmaceuticals Inc. means the biotech now will focus fully on its rare disease strategy for inhibitors of complement factor D.

Achillion left open the possibility of finding a new partner for the NS5A inhibitor that J&J is returning to the company – odalasvir – but the New Haven, Conn.-based biotech said during a Sept. 11 conference call that its primary focus continues to be the development of first-in-class small molecule inhibitors of the alternative complement pathway for rare disorders

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