Janssen acquires XO1 Limited

Published: 19-Mar-2015

Investigational anti-thrombin antibody Ichorcumab strengthens cardiovascular disease portfolio


Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a division of Johnson & Johnson, has acquired XO1, a privately held virtual biopharmaceutical company founded to develop the anticoagulant drug ichorcumab.

No financial details have been disclosed.

Ichorcumab is a synthetic antibody initially developed at the University of Cambridge and Addenbrooke's Hospital in the UK that mimics the activity of a human antibody and appears to produce an anticoagulated state without predisposition to bleeding.

The technology was licensed by Cambridge Enterprise, the University's commercialisation arm, to XO1 with the aim of taking its development towards the clinic. XO1 was established by Index Ventures as an asset centric company, which operates without offices or labs, using outsourced drug development expertise from across the globe.

Peter DiBattiste, Global Development Head, Cardiovascular, Janssen Research & Development, said: 'Ichorcumab provides an excellent complement to the Janssen cardiovascular portfolio.'

The opportunity to acquire XO1 was identified and facilitated through Johnson & Johnson Innovation, London, UK.

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