Melbourne Uni cuts deal with Janssen-Cilag to research respiratory infection drug

The University of Melbourne has agreed to collaborate with Janssen-Cilag on potential new-generation treatments for acute respiratory infections.

Through the agreement, the university will receive research funding to explore the potential for new early-stage drug candidates.

The arrangement was facilitated by university's commercial engagement company, UoM Commercial.

University of Melbourne deputy vice-chancellor Professor James McCluskey said the agreement reflects the desire for the university's research “to be translated into impact, and recognises the importance of collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry to achieve this goal.”

He said acute respiratory infections are the most common causes of illness and mortality in children and adults worldwide.

Janssen-Cilag is the Australian subsidiary of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Group, which is itself part of Johnson & Johnson.

Word of the arrangement comes weeks after the university revealed its researchers had been awarded more than $89 million in grants from the $652 million National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) pool.

The funding covers a number of projects, including research into new therapies for ovarian clear cell cancer, autism and inflammatory pain.