Johnson & Johnson to Obtain Rights to a Clinical-Stage Bispecific Antibody to Address Distinct Patient Needs in Atopic Dermatitis
May 28 2024 - 7:30AM
Business Wire
The Company1 enters agreement with Numab Therapeutics to acquire
its wholly owned subsidiary2 for the global rights to NM26, a Phase
2-ready investigational, first-in-class bispecific antibody
targeting two clinically proven pathways in atopic dermatitis
(AD)
NM26 has the potential to offer distinctive benefits versus
existing treatments and address key unmet needs for AD patients
Johnson & Johnson is committed to developing differentiated
bispecific antibodies for treating AD and other immune-mediated
diseases
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) announced today it has entered
into a definitive agreement with Numab Therapeutics, a
clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of
immunology and oncology therapeutics, to acquire from Numab's
shareholders its wholly-owned subsidiary for the global rights to a
novel, investigational first-in-class bispecific antibody, NM26, in
an all-cash transaction of approximately $1.25 billion.
NM26, which is ready to enter Phase 2 studies, targets two
clinically proven pathways, IL-4R alpha subunit (IL-4Rα) and IL-31,
in atopic dermatitis (AD). Atopic dermatitis, the most common
inflammatory skin disease3, is highly heterogeneous with different
disease-driving mechanisms in distinct patient subpopulations. NM26
targets IL-4Rα, which triggers Th2-mediated skin inflammation4, and
IL-31, which impacts skin itch and subsequent scratching that
worsen the disease5. In addition to potentially transforming the
standard of care for AD, NM26 could also be efficacious in other
inflammatory skin diseases involving Th2 inflammation and itch.
“To deliver durable, symptom-free remission for the millions of
people living with AD, our medicines need to be tailored to target
multiple disease-driving pathways in different patient
subpopulations,” said David Lee, Global Immunology Therapeutic Area
Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. “That’s why we are
committed to developing differentiated bispecifics that combine the
targeting of two distinct disease-driving pathways. NM26 has the
potential to deliver a treatment specifically for patients who have
inflamed skin associated with intense itching.”
People living with AD experience inflamed skin that can be
associated with itch and subsequent scratching, which causes skin
pain, skin abrasions that increase risk of infection, difficulty
sleeping, anxiety, stress, depression and even an increased risk of
suicide. Current therapies fall short of delivering durable,
symptom-free remission, with approximately 70% of patients not
achieving remission in what is the most common inflammatory skin
disease.6
“Our goal is to deliver transformational efficacy for all
patients living with immune mediated diseases like AD,” said
Candice Long, Worldwide Vice President, Immunology, Johnson &
Johnson. “Our investment in differentiated bispecifics is the next
chapter in our impactful Immunology legacy. It reinforces our
commitment to address unmet medical needs by leveraging patient
insights and our deep disease expertise.”
The closing of the transaction is expected to occur in the
second half of 2024, following clearance under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and satisfaction of
other customary closing conditions. Accounting treatment will be
communicated on or before the close of the transaction.
About Johnson & Johnson At Johnson & Johnson, we
believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation
empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented,
treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive,
and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative
Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across
the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the
breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for
humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/ or at
www.janssen.com/johnson-johnson-innovative-medicine. Follow us at
@JanssenUS and @JNJInnovMed. Cilag Holding AG, Janssen Research
& Development, LLC and Janssen Biotech, Inc. are all Johnson
& Johnson companies.
Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press
release contains “forward-looking statements” regarding the
acquisition of NM26 from Numab. 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 Cilag Holding AG, Janssen Research
& Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc., and/or Johnson &
Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
the potential that the expected benefits and opportunities of the
acquisition may not be realized or may take longer to realize than
expected; challenges inherent in product research and development,
including uncertainty of clinical success and obtaining regulatory
approvals; uncertainty of commercial success for new products;
manufacturing difficulties and delays; product efficacy or safety
concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action;
economic conditions, including currency exchange and interest rate
fluctuations; the risks associated with global operations;
competition, including technological advances, new products and
patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; changes to
applicable laws and regulations, including tax laws and global
health care reforms; adverse litigation or government action;
change in behavior and pending patterns or financial distress of
purchasers of health care services and products; 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 31, 2023, including in the sections captioned
“Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item
1A. Risk Factors,” and in Johnson & Johnson’s subsequent
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other filings by Johnson &
Johnson with the SEC. Copies of these filings are available online
at www.sec.gov, at www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson &
Johnson. None of Cilag Holding AG, Janssen Research &
Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc. nor Johnson & Johnson
undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of
new information or future events or developments, except as
required by law.
1 Legal entity, Cilag Holding AG 2 J&J will acquire Numab’s
NM26 program on a global basis by way of the purchase of 100% of
the issued and outstanding shares of a newco, Yellow Jersey
Therapeutics, which will include the NM26 program, and which will
be formed through a demerger with Numab. J&J will enter a
separate agreement with Kaken Pharmaceutical to secure rights in
the Asia Pacific region. 3
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27690741/ 4
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27690741/ 5
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjd.20873 6
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27690741/
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240528509212/en/
Media contact: Michelle Romano Mobile: 215 385 0372
mromano3@its.jnj.com
Investor contact: Raychel Kruper
Investor-relations@its.jnj.com
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