Janssen Looks to New Tech Team to Tackle Unmet Medical Needs

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen subsidiary has formed a new team of scientists to research and develop new drugs that address unmet public health needs in poorer countries and emerging markets.

The new group will also implement new access strategies for drugs in Janssen’s pipeline and portfolio. Those include:

• Sirturo (bedaquiline) as part of a combination therapy for adults with multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis;

• Long-acting injected rilpivirine that allows for less frequent dosing against HIV;

• Dapivirine vaginal microbicidal ring that prevents transmission of HIV;

• Reformulated flubendazole that fight parasites that cause elephantiasis and river blindness; and

• Reformulated mebendazole, a chewable therapy against intestinal worms in children.

The drugmaker is also looking to address pricing models that improve access to drugs in developing countries. — Lena Freund

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