Janssen Pharmaceuticals has acquired XO1 Limited, a privately held asset-centric virtual biopharmaceutical company founded to develop the anti-thrombin antibody ichorcumab.
Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
Ichorcumab is a recombinant human antibody developed to mimic the activity of a human antibody which appears to produce an anticoagulated state without predisposition to bleeding.
"Ichorcumab provides an excellent complement to the Janssen cardiovascular portfolio," says Peter DiBattiste, MD, Global Development Head, Cardiovascular, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. "Given Janssen's leadership in the fields of anticoagulation and biologics, we are well positioned to explore the potential of this next generation anticoagulant."
The opportunity was identified and facilitated through Johnson & Johnson Innovation, London. "This acquisition illustrates how our global innovation strategy enables a local, hands-on approach that supports the regional life science ecosystems, provides Janssen a window on the most exciting science around the world and provides access to potentially breakthrough products in areas of strategic interest," says Patrick Verheyen, Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, London.
