Janssen Announces Collaboration with Bavarian Nordic to Develop Vaccine for Chronic Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infections

PR62915

RARITAN, New Jersey, Dec. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- New approach for early treatment and interception of HPV-induced cancers

    Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Janssen) announced today that the company

has entered into a definitive collaboration and license agreement with Bavarian

Nordic to leverage their MVA-BN(R) technology, jointly with Janssen's own

AdVac(R) technology, in the development and commercialization of a heterologous

prime-boost vaccine for the treatment of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) chronic

infections which can lead to cancer.  Under this agreement, Janssen will

conduct all clinical development and, subject to regulatory approval, will be

responsible for registration, distribution and commercialization of the

potential combination vaccine worldwide.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140324/NY88746LOGO )

    Despite a recent focus on the prevention of infection for certain HPV

types, a large population remains at risk of HPV-related cancers.  Janssen will

leverage the prime-boost approach, similar to that used in its Ebola vaccine

regimen which is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials. This approach has shown

to induce a strong and longer-lasting immune response, demonstrated by both

increased antibodies and T cell responses. The goal is to develop a therapeutic

vaccine which aims to intercept HPV infection-related disease, particularly in

women and men who are diagnosed with HPV early, by enhancing the ability of the

immune system to treat chronic infections and prevent progression to cancer.

    "HPV carries a significant disease burden, which can be addressed by

intercepting disease progression and treating the viral infection," says Johan

Van Hoof, M.D., Global Head, Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Janssen. "We are

bringing together our technology with that of Bavarian Nordic to develop a

potentially first-in-class HPV vaccine which could advance human health by

reducing the number of new cancer cases and associated deaths."

    HPV-related cancers, which occur when a chronic infection of some HPV types

cause changes to infected cells, are responsible for over 650 thousand cases

globally[1] each year.  HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer and certain

types of head and neck cancer, in addition to several rare cancers.

    With over 300 million estimated infections among men and women annually,

HPV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the world.

    About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson

    At Janssen, we are dedicated to addressing and solving some of the most

important unmet medical needs of our time in infectious diseases and vaccines,

oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Driven by our commitment to patients, we develop innovative products, services

and healthcare solutions to help people throughout the world.  Janssen

Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson

& Johnson.

    Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding a new collaboration

and product development. 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 Janssen Pharmaceuticals,

Inc. and Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not

limited to: the potential that the expected benefits and opportunities related

to the collaboration may not be realized or may take longer to realize than

expected; challenges and uncertainties inherent in new product development,

including uncertainty of clinical success and obtaining regulatory approvals;

competition, including technological advances, new products and patents

attained by competitors; challenges to patents; changes to applicable laws and

regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health

care cost containment. A further list and description 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 28, 2014, including in

Exhibit 99 thereto, and the company's subsequent filings with the Securities

and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at

http://www.sec.gov, http://www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson.

None of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies or Johnson & Johnson undertakes to

update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future

events or developments.

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1. Global Burden of Human Papillomavirus and Related Diseases, Forman et al,

Vaccine, July 2012

     Press Contacts:

     Daniel De Schryver

     +49-173-76-89-149

     ddschryv@its.jnj.com

     Ronan Collins

     +47-488-425-00

     rcollin5@its.jnj.com

     Investor Contacts:

     Louise Mehrotra

     +1-(732)-524-6491

     Lesley Fishman

     +1-(732)-524-3922

    Source: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.