Singapore: Johnson & Johnson has acquired Aragon Pharmaceuticals, a privately-held pharmaceutical discovery and development company focused on drugs to treat hormonally-driven cancers.

Development of compounds from Aragon's androgen receptor antagonist program, including its lead androgen receptor signaling inhibitor, ARN-509, will be managed by Janssen Research & Development.

"The acquisition strengthens our prostate cancer pipeline with a second-generation, potentially best-in-class compound," said Dr Peter F Lebowitz, head, global therapeutic area, Oncology.

"It builds on our existing leadership position with Zytiga (abiraterone acetate), and, if approved, we are hopeful ARN-509 will allow us to meet the needs of an even broader range of prostate cancer patients," he added.