Janssen and PATH to ally on HIV therapy development

Janssen is to develop a new injectable treatment for HIV in association with PATH, the international non-profit global health organisation.

The firm's Irish research and development division has signed a licence agreement with PATH for the early development of the HIV-1 medicine rilpivirine in a long-acting injection as a potential pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment.

Rilpivirine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor which is currently commercialised by Janssen for the oral once-daily treatment of HIV-1, in combination with other antiretroviral agents.

This new agreement will give PATH  the right to develop the rilpivirine long-acting formulation as a possible new way to prevent infection among uninfected individuals at high risk of acquiring the disease.

Wim Parys, global head of research and development at Janssen Global Health, said: "We believe that evaluating a long-acting formulation, which could help improve adherence in a PrEP regimen, is an important part of the Janssen commitment to the global fight against HIV and AIDS."

Earlier this year, Janssen highlighted data from a survey conducted among participants in a recent HIV drug trial it carried out, with most patients saying they would recommend their experience to others.