Cidara Therapeutics has signed a deal worth up to $780 million with Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Pharmaceuticals to develop and commercialize Cidara’s antiviral conjugates (AVCs) for the prevention and treatment of seasonal and pandemic influenza.
The San Diego biotechnology company is developing a new generation of immunotherapeutic antivirals from its Cloudbreak antiviral platform. Neither vaccines or monoclonal antibodies, AVCs' targeting domains are small molecule antivirals that bind to a highly conserved target on the influenza cell surface, which is essential for viral proliferation and enables universal influenza coverage.
Per the deal, Cidara said it will be responsible for advancing its lead candidate, CD388, through Phase 2 development, with Janssen responsible for late-stage development, manufacturing, registration and global commercialization. Cidara will receive an upfront payment of $27 million, and Janssen will fund all future research, development, manufacturing and commercialization for CD388.
According to Cidara, the goal for CD388 is to deliver universal protection for an entire influenza season from all influenza strains, with a single dose.
Read the press release