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Our new research collaboration with Janssen to tackle coeliac disease

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Monash University has signed a multi-year research collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc., one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, to advance the understanding of the immune mechanisms underpinning Coeliac Disease and inform the development of new methods of diagnosis and treatment. The research will be led by Professor Jamie Rossjohn from the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute. The collaboration was facilitated by Monash Innovation, part of the Enterprise portfolio at Monash University, and by Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC.

Coeliac Disease is a serious health condition affecting approximately 1 percent of the world’s population. It occurs when dietary gluten (a food protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats) triggers a damaging immune response that attacks the body. Coeliac disease is associated with a range of health problems and often causes digestive symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. It can also cause anaemia, low iron levels and excessive tiredness and is associated with osteoporosis, other autoimmune disease, infection and some types of cancer.

Providing a definitive diagnosis to Coeliac Disease currently entails invasive biopsy and improved diagnostics and better treatments are urgently needed. Presently, the only approved treatment is a gluten-free diet; there is no known cure. With the disease affecting on average approximately 1 in 70 Australians with around 80 percent of this number undiagnosed, the vast majority of Australians who have coeliac disease are unaware they have it.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise), Professor Ken Sloan, said the research agreement with Janssen is another example of Monash actively engaging with industry to explore new avenues: “Monash University remains committed to moving research forward for the betterment of human health, creating new avenues and opportunities that may lead to tangible benefits for the broader community”, Professor Sloan said.

Director of the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Professor John Carroll, said the collaboration brings together leading researchers and industry partners to tackle this major health issue that affects so many individuals around the world.

“This collaboration is another example of how Monash BDI’s strong clinical relationships and industry engagement aim to accelerate the development of diagnostic and preventative treatments,” Professor Carroll said.

Professor Rossjohn stated: “The team at Monash, including Dr. Hugh Reid, Prof Nicole La Gruta and Prof. Tony Purcell, look forward to working alongside Janssen colleagues to develop innovative immunotherapeutics to prevent and treat Coeliac Disease.”

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Monash extends collaboration with Janssen on psoriasis prevention

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Monash University announced an extension of its collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc., one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, where researchers will investigate triggers of the immune-mediated disease, psoriasis, and focus on the discovery of potential new treatment approaches to prevent psoriasis.

Professor Jamie Rossjohn, from the Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, will lead the research team at Monash University on the three-year research program.

“We’re delighted to be working alongside Janssen once again in a joint effort to broaden our knowledge around this condition and develop novel treatments for psoriasis,” Professor Rossjohn said.

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Monash and Janssen Biotech collaborate on rheumatoid arthritis prevention

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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.

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Jamie Rossjohn featured in the Australian Financial Review

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Janssen Biotech funds Monash rheumatoid arthritis research

Janssen Biotech, part of global giant Johnson & Johnson, has agreed to fund research by a team of scientists led by one of Monash University’s star researchers into rheumatoid arthritis.

The landmark deal means Janssen will have first dibs on new medicines emerging from a research team led by Jamie Rossjohn of Monash’s Biomedicine Discovery Institute that is studying early detection and treatment of the crippling disease suffered by 400,000 Australians and 25 million worldwide.

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Monash secures over AUD $2 million for industry Linkage Projects

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Monash University’s innovative, world-leading research and its strong engagement with industry have helped secure significant funding in the latest Australian Research Council (ARC) grants for Linkage Projects.

Monash University has been awarded AUD $2,261,074 to support six applied research projects, ranging from development of a wearable blood-pressure monitor and enhanced inhaler design for more efficient drug delivery, to improved security systems and sequencing DNA to identify the genetics of executive function.

Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham, announced the ARC grants for Linkage Projects today (Wednesday 31 May).

Monash Vice-Provost (Research), Professor Pauline Nestor said the funding announcement reflects Monash’s high impact research that has the potential to transform lives.

“From gaining deeper insights into our complex immune systems to enhance treatments for diseases, to boosting the global competitiveness of the Australian security industry by applying mathematics to improve detection systems, our research has the power to respond to some of the world’s greatest challenges and make a real difference,” Professor Nestor said.

“This significant funding for six, diverse ARC Linkage Projects demonstrates the quality and breadth of our applied research as well as our strength in building powerful strategic partnerships with industries and other innovators. I am grateful to the ARC for their continued support and congratulate those talented researchers who have secured Linkage Project funding today.”

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