J&J to Gain Promising Autoimmune Disease Drug in $6.5 Billion Momenta Acquisition

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) announced that it will acquire the autoimmune-focused biotech company Momenta Pharmaceuticals for $6.5 billion, expanding its holdings in the area of novel treatments for autoimmune diseases.

Cambridge, Mass.-based Momenta’s key drug asset is nipocalimab, which blocks molecules in the body that set off certain autoimmune conditions. Mid-stage trial results early this summer showed that the investigational drug significantly decreased symptoms of generalized myasthenia gravis, a muscle disorder.

J&J said its Janssen subsidiary will explore nipocalimab’s usefulness for other autoimmune diseases, such as maternal-fetal and neuro-inflammatory disorders.