Monash University has signed a major multiyear research and commercialisation deal with Janssen Biotech, Inc. (“Janssen”), one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, for the early detection and prevention of rheumatoid arthritis, a debilitating autoimmune disease which affects more than 400,000 Australians¹ and more than 24.5 million people worldwide². The agreement was facilitated by Monash Innovation, part of the recently established Enterprise portfolio at Monash University, and Johnson & Johnson Innovation.

Director of the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Professor John Carroll, said the collaboration is the result of an existing productive three-year partnership with Janssen and adds to Monash University’s growing international reputation for translational research.

“This exciting strategic partnership is another example of how the Monash BDI’s strong clinical relationships and early industry engagement, are leading to a pipeline of medical breakthroughs,” Professor Carroll said.

The Monash-based researchers, led by ARC Laureate Fellow and Imaging Centre of Excellence Chief Investigator, Professor Jamie Rossjohn, have been investigating the impact of therapeutics on immune systems affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

“This collaboration is a great opportunity to take our advances in basic biomedical science and translate them to the market for the betterment of the Australian population and worldwide,” Professor Rossjohn said.

Original article