Janssen inks mega-deal with Japan’s PeptiDream

Janssen Pharmaceuticals has signed up for access to PeptiDream’s peptide discovery technology in a deal that could be worth $1.15 billion.

Under the deal, PeptiDream's proprietary Peptide Discovery Platform System technology will be used to identify certain peptides against multiple metabolic and cardiovascular targets chosen by Janssen, which will then be optimised into therapeutic peptides or small molecule products.

Janssen has rights to develop and commercialise any compounds identified under the alliance.

In return, the Tokyo, Japan-headquartered group will bank an upfront payment, research funding and milestones potentially totally up to $1.15 billion, and is also eligible for royalties on net sales of all products that make it to market.

The deal adds to PeptiDream’s growing list of discovery collaborations with pharma majors, including Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and Sanofi.