Johnson and Johnson forms new research collaboration

Johnson and Johnson has announced it has formed a new collaboration with Epigenomics, a German biotechnology company.

Epigenomics will help Johnson and Johnson’s pharmaceutical research and development (JJPRD) division to identify and analyse potential cancer biomarkers.

Biomarkers are important in the development of targeted cancer therapies and Epigenomics says it intends to use its proprietary methylation hybridisation chip technology. It works by methylating cytosine, a component of DNA, which is a process that is important in turning genes on or off – something that often goes wrong in cancer cells.

Through measuring the differences in the methylation patterns of diseased cells and healthy cells, researchers can analyse the results to predict the effects targeted drugs could have on the diseased cells.

Christina Dahlstroem, senior vice president and head of Epigenomic’s clinical solutions strategic business unit, remarked: “This collaboration provides an excellent opportunity to support JJPRD’s clinical evaluation of novel oncology products.”

“We are particularly pleased that this collaboration is also the first one to be based on our new DMH technology,” she added.

The details of the financial terms of the agreement were not revealed.

Epigenomics has in the past worked with Roche to produce diagnostic products for cancers.

In June, Johnson and Johnson bought the Pfizer Consumer Healthcare business for a cash sum of $16.6 billion, creating the world’s premier consumer health care business, according to William C Weldon, chairman and chief executive of Johnson and Johnson.

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