Janssen Announces Collaboration with Bavarian Nordic to Develop Vaccine for Chronic Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infections

Raritan, New Jersey (ots/PRNewswire) -

New approach for early treatment and interception of HPV-induced
cancers

Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Janssen) announced today that the
company has entered into a definitive collaboration and license
agreement with Bavarian Nordic to leverage their MVA-BN® technology,
jointly with Janssen's own AdVac® technology, in the development and
commercialization of a heterologous prime-boost vaccine for the
treatment of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) chronic infections which can
lead to cancer. Under this agreement, Janssen will conduct all
clinical development and, subject to regulatory approval, will be
responsible for registration, distribution and commercialization of
the potential combination vaccine worldwide.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140324/NY88746LOGO )

Despite a recent focus on the prevention of infection for certain
HPV types, a large population remains at risk of HPV-related cancers.
Janssen will leverage the prime-boost approach, similar to that used
in its Ebola vaccine regimen which is currently in Phase 3 clinical
trials. This approach has shown to induce a strong and longer-lasting
immune response, demonstrated by both increased antibodies and T cell
responses. The goal is to develop a therapeutic vaccine which aims to
intercept HPV infection-related disease, particularly in women and
men who are diagnosed with HPV early, by enhancing the ability of the
immune system to treat chronic infections and prevent progression to
cancer.

"HPV carries a significant disease burden, which can be addressed
by intercepting disease progression and treating the viral
infection," says Johan Van Hoof, M.D., Global Head, Infectious
Diseases and Vaccines, Janssen. "We are bringing together our
technology with that of Bavarian Nordic to develop a potentially
first-in-class HPV vaccine which could advance human health by
reducing the number of new cancer cases and associated deaths."

HPV-related cancers, which occur when a chronic infection of some
HPV types cause changes to infected cells, are responsible for over
650 thousand cases globally[1] each year. HPV is the primary cause
of cervical cancer and certain types of head and neck cancer, in
addition to several rare cancers.

With over 300 million estimated infections among men and women
annually, HPV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in
the world.

About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson

At Janssen, we are dedicated to addressing and solving some of the
most important unmet medical needs of our time in infectious diseases
and vaccines, oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and cardiovascular
and metabolic diseases. Driven by our commitment to patients, we
develop innovative products, services and healthcare solutions to
help people throughout the world. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is
one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
regarding a new collaboration and product development. The reader is
cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These
statements are based on current expectations of future events. If
underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or
uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from
the expectations and projections of Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and
Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to: the potential that the expected benefits and
opportunities related to the collaboration may not be realized or may
take longer to realize than expected; challenges and uncertainties
inherent in new product development, including uncertainty of
clinical success and obtaining regulatory approvals; competition,
including technological advances, new products and patents attained
by competitors; challenges to patents; changes to applicable laws and
regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward
health care cost containment. A further list and description of these
risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson &
Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 28, 2014, including in Exhibit 99 thereto, and the company's
subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Copies of these filings are available online at http://www.sec.gov,
http://www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of the
Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies or Johnson & Johnson undertakes to
update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information
or future events or developments.

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1. Global Burden of Human Papillomavirus and Related Diseases,
Forman et al, Vaccine , July 2012

ots Originaltext: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Daniel De Schryver
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ddschryv@its.jnj.com
Ronan Collins
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rcollin5@its.jnj.com

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