Janssen seals global inherited retinal disease partnership with gene therapy firm MeiraGTx
pharmafile | February 1, 2019 | News story | Medical Communications, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | Janssen, MeiraGTx, eye care, gene therapy, pharma
In a bid to boost its portfolio in the eye care space, Janssen has announced a global partnership with clinical-stage gene therapy firm MeiraGTx Holdings with the goal of developing and marketing new treatments for inherited retinal diseases.
Specifically, the collaboration hopes to look into developing leading candidates for achromatopsia (ACHM) caused by mutations in either CNGB3 or CNGA3, and X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP). The partnership will also further develop adeno-associated virus (AAV) manufacturing technology, as well as focus on the exploration of new targets for other inherited retinal diseases.
Janssen secures exclusive global licensing rights from MeiraGTx from the latter’s inherited retinal disease portfolio as part of the deal, and the former will have the option to license new treatments for other such conditions.
“Janssen is excited to expand our portfolio with the addition of innovative assets that have the potential to improve sight or prevent the progression to blindness in inherited retinal diseases which currently have no treatment options,” commented Dr James List, Global Therapeutic Area Head, Cardiovascular & Metabolism at Janssen. “We look forward to partnering with MeiraGTx to develop these assets and explore new potential targets for inherited retinal diseases.”
Janssen’s Global Head, Dr Mathai Mammen, also added: “This collaboration builds on Janssen’s long-standing heritage of addressing the unmet needs of patients around the world. Through this collaboration we look forward to deepening our expertise in gene therapy and leveraging our breadth of research and development expertise to help bring forward new treatment options for people living with inherited retinal diseases.”
Matt Fellows
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