J&J signs deal with Chinese drugmaker for hepatitis B drug
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Johnson & Johnson said it licensed rights from a Chinese drugmaker to drugs that spur the immune system to help fight diseases, which it hopes will become a key part of a cure for chronic hepatitis B.
The deal, with a unit of Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd that focuses on treatments for liver diseases, gives J&J exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and sell the medicines outside China.
Unlike new hepatitis C drugs that boast extremely high cure rates and short treatment durations, current medicines for the hepatitis B virus (HBV) can hold it in check but must be taken for life. If untreated, the virus, which is spread by contact with infected bodily fluids, can be fatal and is a leading cause of liver cancer.
Hepatitis B has been difficult to cure because antiviral medicines that block replication of the virus have proved insufficient at clearing it from the blood.
J&J and other researchers believe an assault by components of the immune system will be needed as part of a cure.
The deal with Sino's Chia Tai Tiaqing Pharmaceutical unit includes an immune-stimulating agent that could potentially be combined with antiviral drugs J&J acquired when it purchased Novira Therapeutics in November.
The deal, with a unit of Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd that focuses on treatments for liver diseases, gives J&J exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and sell the medicines outside China.
Unlike new hepatitis C drugs that boast extremely high cure rates and short treatment durations, current medicines for the hepatitis B virus (HBV) can hold it in check but must be taken for life. If untreated, the virus, which is spread by contact with infected bodily fluids, can be fatal and is a leading cause of liver cancer.
Hepatitis B has been difficult to cure because antiviral medicines that block replication of the virus have proved insufficient at clearing it from the blood.
J&J and other researchers believe an assault by components of the immune system will be needed as part of a cure.
The deal with Sino's Chia Tai Tiaqing Pharmaceutical unit includes an immune-stimulating agent that could potentially be combined with antiviral drugs J&J acquired when it purchased Novira Therapeutics in November.
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