Janssen purchases hepatitis C therapy from GlaxoSmithKline

Janssen has announced the acquisition of a developmental NS5a replication complex inhibitor for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C from GlaxoSmithKline.

The deal sees Janssen receiving all rights to develop and commercialise the investigational agent GSK2336805, including in combination with other drugs, for an undisclosed financial settlement.

GSK2336805 is currently in phase II development for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C and Janssen plans to launch further trials assessing the use of the drug in interferon-free combinations with the protease inhibitor simeprevir and TMC647055.

It represents the latest addition to the company's growing portfolio of direct-acting antivirals.

Gaston Picchio, hepatitis disease area leader at Janssen, said: "This addition will broaden our clinical development programme as we continue to look for new investigational interferon-free treatment combinations to combat the hepatitis C virus."

The company will be showcasing a number of hepatitis C therapies, including simeprevir, at the forthcoming American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases annual meeting in Washington DC next month.