Janssen Announces Discontinuation of Fulranumab Phase 3 Development Program in Osteoarthritis Pain

TITUSVILLE, N.J., March 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, today announced that it is discontinuing the Phase 3 development program for fulranumab in osteoarthritis pain. This decision was based on strategic portfolio prioritization and was not based on any emerging safety concerns from the Phase 3 clinical studies with fulranumab. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an affiliated company, is terminating its licensing agreement with Amgen Inc. for fulranumab and is returning all program rights back to Amgen.

Fulranumab is part of an experimental class of non-opioid biological medicines called anti-nerve growth factor compounds. In 2008, Amgen Inc. licensed fulranumab to Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., now known as Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  The Neuroscience therapeutic area of Janssen Research & Development, LLC continues to pursue discovery and development programs in Alzheimer's disease and serious mental illness.

About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies
At the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, we are working to create a world without disease.  We transform lives by finding new and better ways to prevent, intercept, treat and cure disease.  To do this, we bring together the best minds and pursue the most promising science. We are Janssen. We collaborate with the world for the health of everyone in it. Learn more at www.janssen.com.

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SOURCE Janssen Research & Development, LLC

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