Johnson & Johnson licensing STAT6 program from Kaken Pharmaceutical

Johnson & Johnson announced that it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for the global development, manufacturing and commercialization of a STAT6 program for autoimmune and allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, from Kaken Pharmaceutical. Johnson & Johnson gains an exclusive license to Kaken’s STAT6 inhibitor program, including lead candidate KP-723. Kaken will retain the commercialization rights in Japan, where Johnson & Johnson will have an option to enter into a co-promotion agreement with Kaken. Separately, Kaken is eligible to receive an equity investment from Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc., the venture capital organization of Johnson & Johnson. “Nearly three-quarters of people with atopic dermatitis are not achieving remission with currently available treatments,” said Candice Long, Worldwide Vice President, Immunology, Johnson & Johnson. “Our investment in KP-723 may allow us to provide a novel treatment option with the convenience of a pill for patients living with this complex immune-mediated disease.”