Janssen sponsors new multiple sclerosis research project

Janssen has announced a new research sponsorship targeting an innovative new multiple sclerosis study project.

The company will commit $5.4 million (3.45 million pounds) to advance the formation of a first-of-its-kind networked initiative aimed at uncovering the genetic and biologic causes of the disease, as well as developing new therapy options.

Using the funding, the Marin Community Foundation's Multiple Sclerosis Project Fund will create an alliance of public and private research collaborators, enabling data-sharing and integration of scientific research via computer-based systems modelling tools and analytics.

Dr Husseini Manji, global therapeutic area head for neuroscience for Janssen Research and Development, said: "Our aim is to bring together researchers and data to foster the development of new, transformational medicines and treatment paradigms to solve mysteries of the brain and central nervous system."

This comes after the company licensed a portfolio of diabetes research programmes from Evotec and Harvard University earlier this month.