J&J partners with Second Genome, launches innovation center

The Janssen Biotech Inc. subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) partnered with Second Genome Inc. (San Bruno, Calif.) to characterize the role of bacterial populations in the human gut in ulcerative colitis (UC) and to identify potential drug targets. Second Genome will use its microbiome modulation discovery technology to generate therapeutic candidates that modulate microbe-microbe and microbe-human interactions. The company will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and research funding from Janssen and is eligible for undisclosed research-based milestones. Separately, Second Genome raised an additional $6.5 million in a third tranche of a series A round, bringing the total raised in the round to $11.5 million.

Also on Wednesday, J&J launched the Johnson & Johnson California Innovation Center, one of four regional centers the pharma is establishing this year to identify and accelerate development of early stage life science innovations. The pharma also launched an innovator program to provide "experienced" entrepreneurs who have "revolutionary" science at the seed stage of development with funding, resources and guidance (see BioCentury, Sept. 24, 2012). ...