Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Janssen Biotech & Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Launch $10-Million Collaboration

Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Boston and Janssen Biotech, Inc. recently announced a 3-year immuno-oncology lung cancer collaboration with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Through the collaboration, Janssen scientists will work with the research team at Dana-Farber’s Belfer Institute for Applied Cancer Science to determine the clinical setting for certain immuno-oncology agents in Janssen’s lung cancer discovery pipeline.

“We are thrilled to be working with the scientists at the Belfer Institute,” said Peter Lebowitz, Janssen Global Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology. “Their excellence in lung cancer translational research, which incorporates both tumor genetics and immunotherapy, will be critical to the development of personalized treatment options for patients in need.”

Utilizing the Belfer Institute’s proprietary immuno-oncology lung platform and lung cancer disease expertise, the research teams will also seek to identify rational immuno-oncology drug combination strategies and biomarkers, and to characterize mechanisms of resistance. The collaboration will also identify and validate novel targets for lung cancers.

“There is a growing recognition of the potential importance of immuno-oncology agents directed at a variety of cancers,” said Robert G. Urban, PhD, Head of Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Boston. “Through our collaboration with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we will be able to increase the probability of success and decrease development times for our important immuno-oncology pipeline in the critical area of lung cancer.”

Lung cancer is one of three focus areas for Janssen Oncology based on its high unmet need. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. Overall, the chance that a man will develop lung cancer in his lifetime is about 1 in 13; for a woman, the risk is about 1 in 16.

Johnson & Johnson Innovation, LLC focuses on accelerating early stage innovation worldwide and forming collaborations between entrepreneurs and Johnson & Johnson’s global healthcare businesses. Johnson & Johnson Innovation provides scientists, entrepreneurs, and emerging companies one-stop access to science and technology experts who can facilitate collaborations across the pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics and consumer companies of Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson Innovation includes local deal-making capabilities with the flexibility to adapt deal structures to match early stage opportunities and establish novel collaborations that speed development of innovations to solve unmet needs in patients. For more information, visit www.jnjinnovation.com.

Janssen Biotech, Inc. redefines the standard of care in immunology, oncology, urology, and nephrology. Built upon a rich legacy of innovative firsts, Janssen Biotech has delivered on the promise of new treatments and ways to improve the health of individuals with serious disease. Beyond its innovative medicines, Janssen Biotech is at the forefront of developing education and public policy initiatives to ensure patients and their families, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals have access to the latest treatment information, support services. and quality care. For more information, visit www.janssenbiotech.com.