J&J Commits Up to $780 Million for Flu Drugs, Readies Itself for Next Pandemic

Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen has agreed to pay up to $780 million for the global rights to Cidara Therapeutics’ Cloudbreak antiviral conjugate (AVC) candidates being developed for preventing and treating seasonal and pandemic influenza.

The collaborative agreement will see Cidara, a San Diego, Calif., biotech, handle the initial development and manufacturing of CD388, its long-acting antiviral immunotherapy candidate, while Janssen will be responsible for late-stage development, manufacturing, regulatory submissions and international commercialization. Janssen will also provide all future funding for the candidate.

Cidara will get $27 million upfront as part of the deal and is eligible for up to $753 million in additional payments, including for development, regulatory and commercial milestones and royalties on global sales. The company plans to file an investigational new drug application with the FDA for the drug by the end of the year.