BioCentury
ARTICLE | Company News

J&J unit opts not to regain Furiex antibiotic

April 20, 2011 1:10 AM UTC

Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. did not exercise an option to regain rights to antibiotic candidate JNJ-Q2 from partner Furiex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:FURX). According to Furiex, the Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) subsidiary is focusing future R&D investment in antivirals and vaccines instead of new antibacterials. Janssen gained the option in 2009 when it out-licensed the fluoroquinolone antibiotic to PPD Inc. (NASDAQ:PPDI), which in turn spun-out its compound partnering business into Furiex. The product has completed a Phase II trial in acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) and is in an ongoing Phase II trial for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP). Janssen is eligible for up to $125 million in milestones, plus royalties. ...