Janssen, Bavarian Nordic Partner on Hep B and HIV Vaccines

On July 26, 2017, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, announced a worldwide exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Bavarian Nordic, a Danish biotechnology company focused on cancer immunotherapies and infectious diseases, to use Bavarian Nordic’s modified vaccine technology, MVA-BN, with Janssen’s AdVac and DNA-based vaccine technologies. The companies aim to develop and commercialize potential new vaccine regimens against hepatitis B virus and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). This agreement stems from ongoing collaborations between the companies to develop vaccines to address Ebola and human papillomavirus.

Data generated by Janssen's Ebola vaccine program and data published about a new HIV therapeutic vaccine approach suggest that the MVA-BN technology platform could have benefits when used with other vaccine technologies, according to Janssen.

Under the agreement, Janssen will conduct all clinical development and, subject to regulatory approval, be responsible for registration, distribution, and commercialization of any potential new vaccine regimens worldwide. Bavarian Nordic will receive an upfront payment and be eligible to receive milestone payments based on the achievement of specified development, regulatory, and sales milestones as well as tiered royalties on future worldwide sales. The transactions are subject to customary closing conditions.

Source: Johnson & Johnson