Janssen has further expanded its already growing research presence in Australia signing a commercialisation deal with Monash University.
The deal covers the early detection and prevention of rheumatoid arthritis, a debilitating auto-immune disease that affects more than 400,000 Australians, and more than 24.5 million people worldwide.
The deal, which was facilitated by Monash Innovation with Johnson & Johnson Innovation, comes just days after the company signed a collaboration with Australian company Protagonist Therapeutics for the development of treatments for inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and other gastro-intestinal disorders.
Monash University president and vice-chancellor, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, will announce the collaboration today, alongside the Victorian minister for small business, innovation and trade, Philip Dalidakis, representatives from Johnson & Johnson Innovation and Janssen, as well as researchers from the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute.
"It is great to have our world-leading universities partnering with global companies to drive innovation that will create jobs in Victoria's medical technologies and pharmaceuticals sector," says minister Dalidakis.
Professor Gardner said the partnership between the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Janssen demonstrated the potential for world class research excellence and industry expertise to deliver health and economic benefits on a global scale.
“With nearly 25 million people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis worldwide, the agreement has the potential to deliver significant benefit to community, industry and research,” she said.
Deputy vice-chancellor Ken Sloan said the strategic partnership with Janssen is another example of Monash actively engaging with industry in order to translate its world-leading research
“Monash University is at the heart of Melbourne’s flourishing south east corridor and collaborations such as these are accelerated through our proximity to major biomedical research infrastructure such as the Australian Synchrotron, Monash Biomedical Imaging and other research facilities such as CSIRO, which is helping create a pipeline of translation from basic research to commercialisation, and making Monash a preferred partner for industry,” he said.
Director of the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Professor John Carroll, said the collaboration is the result of an existing productive three-year partnership with Janssen and adds to Monash University’s growing international reputation for translational research.
“This exciting strategic partnership is another example of how the Monash BDI’s strong clinical relationships and early industry engagement, are leading to a pipeline of medical breakthroughs,” said Professor Carroll.