NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.,
Feb. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/
-- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced that its
Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies will further expedite its
investigational coronavirus vaccine program through an expanded
collaboration with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development
Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary
for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the U.S. Department of
Health & Human Services.
The collaborative partnership with BARDA builds on Johnson &
Johnson's multipronged response to the new coronavirus disease
(COVID-19) outbreak. In addition to Janssen's efforts to develop a
vaccine candidate, the Company is working closely with global
partners to screen its library of antiviral molecules to accelerate
the discovery of potential COVID-19 treatments and provide relief
for people in China and around the
world.
"Developing an effective vaccine will be critical if we are to
protect people against the novel coronavirus and combat future
outbreaks," said Paul Stoffels,
M.D., Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chief Scientific
Officer, Johnson & Johnson. "This partnership will ensure that
vital research is made possible at rapid speed and underscores the
importance of public-private partnerships to tackle the worldwide
novel coronavirus epidemic. We are also in discussions with other
partners, that if we have a vaccine candidate with potential, we
aim to make it accessible to China
and other parts of the world."
Through this agreement, created under an existing U.S.
Government's Other Transaction Authority, (HHSO100201700018C),
Janssen and BARDA will both contribute to the research
and development costs and mobilize resources to rapidly
advance the initial stages of Janssen's COVID-19 vaccine
development program. BARDA will provide funding to support
accelerated development of a vaccine candidate into Phase 1
clinical studies, with options for additional funding to progress a
promising candidate. In parallel, Janssen will work to upscale the
production and manufacturing capacities required to meet public
health needs. Janssen is committed to partnering with multiple
stakeholders around the world to address the needs of communities
around the world.
"By leveraging long-standing partnerships and proven technology,
we can move rapidly to address emerging health threats like this
novel coronavirus," said BARDA Director Rick A. Bright, Ph.D. "We are committed to doing
everything we can to protect the health of the people in
the United States and across the
globe."
The vaccine program will leverage Janssen's
AdVac® and PER.C6® technologies
that provide the ability to rapidly upscale production of the
optimal vaccine candidate. These are the same technologies that
were used in the development and manufacturing of Janssen's
investigational Ebola vaccine, which is currently deployed in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. They were also used to construct the
Company's Zika, RSV and HIV vaccine candidates.
COVID-19 belongs to a group of viruses called coronaviruses that
attack the respiratory system. There is currently no approved
vaccine, treatment or cure for COVID-19.
For more information on Johnson & Johnson's commitment to
combatting COVID-19 visit: www.jnj.com/coronavirus.
About Johnson & Johnson
At Johnson & Johnson,
we believe good health is the foundation of vibrant lives, thriving
communities and forward progress. That's why for more than 130
years, we have aimed to keep people well at every age and every
stage of life. Today, as the world's largest and most broadly-based
healthcare company, we are committed to using our reach and size
for good. We strive to improve access and affordability, create
healthier communities, and put a healthy mind, body and environment
within reach of everyone, everywhere. We are blending our heart,
science and ingenuity to profoundly change the trajectory of health
for humanity. Learn more at www.jnj.com. Follow us at @JNJNews.
About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies
At Janssen,
we're creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We're
the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working
tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by
fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity,
and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine
where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular &
Metabolism, Immunology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines,
Neuroscience, Oncology, and Pulmonary Hypertension. Learn more at
www.janssen.com. Follow us at @JanssenGlobal.
Notice to Investors Concerning Forward-Looking
Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
regarding darunavir/cobicistat and development of potential
preventive and treatment regimens for coronavirus. The reader is
cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These
statements are based on current expectations of future events. If
underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks
or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially
from the expectations and projections of the Janssen Pharmaceutical
Companies and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties
inherent in product research and development, including the
uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory
approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing
difficulties and delays; competition, including technological
advances, new products and patents attained by competitors;
challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns
resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in
behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care
products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations,
including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care
cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks,
uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson &
Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 30, 2018, including in the
sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in the company's most
recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the company's
subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov,
www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of the
Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson & Johnson
undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of
new information or future events or developments.
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SOURCE Johnson & Johnson