Johnson & Johnson Announces Partnership with CSIR-IMTECH to Develop Innovative New Tuberculosis Treatments

NEW DELHI, August 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Memorandum of Understanding brings together best scientists from India and Johnson & Johnson to increase level and accelerate pace of innovation needed to make TB history 

Johnson & Johnson Private Limited today announced a new partnership with the Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), to unlock the potential of Indian science and help accelerate the discovery of innovative new treatments for tuberculosis (TB).

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, scientists from Johnson & Johnson's global public health team will work closely with scientists from CSIR-IMTECH, based in Chandigarh, India, on a research and development program to explore potentially more effective, safer, all-oral treatment regimens to tackle multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), as well as new molecular entities to treat all TB patients.

"We are united with India in our determination to make TB history," said Paul Stoffels, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Johnson & Johnson, who joined Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Science and Technology, at an event in New Delhi, to announce the Memorandum of Understanding. "While we have made great advances in recent years with the approval of new TB medicines, much more needs to be done. By bringing together some of India's brightest minds with our scientists, we increase the potential to achieve major research breakthroughs that can lead to innovative new treatments for the millions of people in India and around the world who suffer from TB."

The new research program will capitalize on CSIR-IMTECH's world-class expertise in microbial technology and research along with the proven research and development capabilities of Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies to strengthen the collective potential of the research efforts.  

"TB remains a significant challenge in India, killing approximately half a million-people in 2015 alone," said Dr. Anil Koul, Director, CSIR-IMTECH. "The partnership we have announced today with Johnson & Johnson has the potential to accelerate our work in support of India's National Strategic Plan, our accelerated action plan to End TB by 2025, and most importantly save lives."

Today's announcement builds on nearly 20 years of TB research and development by Johnson & Johnson, which led to the approval of bedaquiline, the first new TB medicine in nearly 50 years, and adds to existing partnerships at central and state levels in India to increase awareness, diagnosis and care, and broaden access to bedaquiline.

In March 2016, Janssen India and the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (under the aegis of the Director General of Health Services) announced a Conditional Access Program (CAP) to provide bedaquiline free-of-charge for 600 patients across six sites in India.

In April 2017, it was confirmed that the CAP would be expanded to additional TB patients across 156 sites. Janssen India has also partnered with authorities in Mumbai, Telangana, Patna and Nagpur to increase awareness of TB and improve access to diagnosis, treatment and care.

"Johnson & Johnson companies have been serving the healthcare needs of India for seventy years now; and this partnership forms an important part of our commitment to the government's 'Make in India' program, supporting Indian drug development for a disease that affects more than 2.8 million people in our country," added Sanjiv Navangul, Managing Director, Janssen India.

About Johnson & Johnson 

Caring for the world, one person at a time, inspires and unites the people of Johnson & Johnson. We embrace research and science - bringing innovative ideas, products and services to advance the health and well-being of people. Our approximately 127,100 employees at more than 250 Johnson & Johnson operating companies work with partners in health care to touch the lives of over a billion people every day, throughout the world.

Our Commitment to Global Public Health 

For 130 years, Johnson & Johnson has been committed to improving the health of individuals, families and communities around the world, including the most vulnerable populations. Today, our vibrant, entrepreneurial and committed employees bring business acumen and their collaborative spirit to help solve some of the most complex global health problems. By harnessing our collective breadth and scale, and our employees' passion and purpose, we strive to change the trajectory of health for humanity.

Our Global Public Health Strategy  

We are focused on tackling some of the world's most pressing public health challenges such as HIV, TB and mental health and committed to achieving transformational health outcomes for the world's most vulnerable people. Taking a holistic approach we are developing integrated, evidence-based solutions that will ensure crucial innovative medicines and products are accessible and delivered to those in need. And bringing to bear our deep expertise, talent, operational excellence, community engagement and partnerships with governments, donors, non-profits and multilateral institutions globally and locally we will accelerate these efforts. Learn more at http://www.jnj.com/global-public-health and follow us @JNJGlobalHealth.

About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies 

At the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, we are working to create a world without disease. Transforming lives by finding new and better ways to prevent, intercept, treat and cure disease inspires us. 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 http://www.janssen.com. Follow us at @JanssenGlobal.

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 license and collaboration agreement and the development and commercialization of potential new vaccines. 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 Johnson & Johnson Private Limited and/or 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 product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success for new products; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; manufacturing difficulties or delays; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; 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 January 1, 2017, including under "Item 1A. Risk Factors," its most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including under the caption "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements," 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. Johnson & Johnson Private Limited, the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, and Johnson & Johnson do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

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