Janssen returns Phase III anti-NGF mAb to Amgen

The Janssen Research & Development LLC unit of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) said it will discontinue its Phase III development program for fulranumab ( AMG 403) to treat osteoarthritis pain. J&J will return the candidate's rights to Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN).

According to ClinicalTrials.gov, four Phase III studies of the humanized IgG2 mAb against nerve growth factor (NGF) are ongoing. Janssen said its decision was not based on any safety concerns emerging from the studies. ...