Medivir has entered into a partnership with Janssen Pharmaceutica to discover and develop drugs for the prophylaxis and treatment of dengue virus.
Under the agreement, Medivir and Janssen will begin an R&D programme and co-develop drugs based on the inhibition of the dengue NS3 protease activity.
Both companies will contribute equal resources towards the research programme. Medivir has an option to continue to contribute equal funding for the non-clinical and clinical development stages.
Depending on level of funding through pre-specified endpoints, each party has the option to take the discovered drugs through development and on to commercialisation.
If both parties are in collaboration until product approval, Janssen will be responsible for commercialisation, while Medivir will receive pre-agreed royalties based on net sales of future products.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection, characterised by severe debilitating fever, rash, and muscle and joint pain.
