Date: 2015-11-04
Type of information: Company acquisition
Acquired company: Novira Therapeutics (USA - PA)
Acquiring company: Johnson&Johnson (J&J) (USA - NJ)
Amount: undisclosed
Terms: * On December 4 2015, Johnson & Johnson announced the completion of the acquisition of Novira Therapeutics, a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for curative treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The transaction was originally announced on November 4, 2015. Novira Therapeutics, Inc. is now part of the Infectious Diseases & Vaccines Therapeutic Area of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.
* On November 4, 2015, Johnson & Johnson announced a definitive agreement to acquire Novira Therapeutics. The acquisition includes Novira\'s portfolio of novel antivirals, including its lead candidate, NVR 3-778. Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. The closing is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2015.
Details: The acquisition includes Novira\'s portfolio of innovative antivirals, including its lead candidate, NVR 3-778 which is in Phase 1b clinical trials. NVR 3-778 is an investigational small molecule, direct-acting antiviral, for oral administration in patients with HBV that inhibits the HBV core or capsid protein. HBV core is a promising drug target since it is involved in multiple activities required for viral replication and persistence. Inhibition of the HBV core protein function by NVR 3-778 offers the potential for more efficient suppression of virus production and replication, which could lead to improved durable viral suppression and functional cure rates.
Related: Infectious diseases
