The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson has announced a worldwide collaboration and license agreement with MeiraGTx Holdings, a clinical-stage gene therapy company, to develop, manufacture and commercialize its clinical stage inherited retinal disease portfolio, including leading product candidates for achromatopsia (ACHM) caused by mutations in either CNGB3 or CNGA3, and X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP).

Further, the companies have formed a research collaboration to explore new targets for other inherited retinal diseases and further develop adeno-associated virus (AAV) manufacturing technology.

James List, Global Therapeutic Area Head, Cardiovascular & Metabolism, Janssen Research & Development said, “Janssen is excited to expand our portfolio with the addition of innovative assets that have the potential to improve sight or prevent the progression to blindness in inherited retinal diseases which currently have no treatment options. We look forward to partnering with MeiraGTx to develop these assets and explore new potential targets for inherited retinal diseases.”

Mathai Mammen, Global Head, Janssen Research & Development said, “This collaboration builds on Janssen’s long-standing heritage of addressing the unmet needs of patients around the world. Through this collaboration we look forward to deepening our expertise in gene therapy and leveraging our breadth of research and development expertise to help bring forward new treatment options for people living with inherited retinal diseases.”

Under the terms of the agreement, MeiraGTx will grant Janssen an exclusive worldwide license to certain clinical assets in MeiraGTx’s inherited retinal disease portfolio. The companies have also formed a research collaboration to develop a pipeline of products addressing novel gene targets, giving Janssen the exclusive option to license new treatments for other inherited retinal diseases.