J&J looks ahead at potential flu therapy after approval of its COVID-19 vaccine
Now that J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine has been approved in the US and the EU, J&J is looking ahead at a new class of drugs as a potential flu therapy.
A deal between Janssen, J&J’s Belgian subsidiary, and Cidara Therapeutics will see Janssen paying $27m upfront for access to a new class of drugs, antiviral conjugates.
Cidara says that the new class of drugs could work against all strains of flu.
Cidara’s CEO Jeffrey Stein says the lead antiviral conjugate, CD388, has the potential to treat and protect against all flu strains with a single dose.
Talking to investors yesterday, Stein said that antiviral conjugates (AVCs) are potent long-acting drugs, so they are different from vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. AVCs are antivirals coupled to a human antibody fragment and are designed to inhibit viral replication while also engaging the immune system.
Cidara plans to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) Application by the end of 2021 and will be responsible for development and manufacturing until phase 2. At that point, Janssen will take over, after reimbursing Cidara for the R&D costs. Janssen will take the candidate through late-stage development and manufacturing.
Read more: http://www.pmlive.com/pharma_news/j_and_j_looks_ahead_at_potential_flu_therapy_after_approval_of_its_covid-19_vaccine_1366408
A deal between Janssen, J&J’s Belgian subsidiary, and Cidara Therapeutics will see Janssen paying $27m upfront for access to a new class of drugs, antiviral conjugates.
Cidara says that the new class of drugs could work against all strains of flu.
Cidara’s CEO Jeffrey Stein says the lead antiviral conjugate, CD388, has the potential to treat and protect against all flu strains with a single dose.
Talking to investors yesterday, Stein said that antiviral conjugates (AVCs) are potent long-acting drugs, so they are different from vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. AVCs are antivirals coupled to a human antibody fragment and are designed to inhibit viral replication while also engaging the immune system.
Cidara plans to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) Application by the end of 2021 and will be responsible for development and manufacturing until phase 2. At that point, Janssen will take over, after reimbursing Cidara for the R&D costs. Janssen will take the candidate through late-stage development and manufacturing.
Read more: http://www.pmlive.com/pharma_news/j_and_j_looks_ahead_at_potential_flu_therapy_after_approval_of_its_covid-19_vaccine_1366408
