Arcturus Therapeutics inks RNA research deal with Janssen

USA-based RNA medicines company Arcturus Therapeutics has entered into a research collaboration and worldwide license agreement with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of US health care giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ).

Under the terms of the deal, facilitated by J&J Innovation, the companies will work together to develop and commercialize RNA-based drug products for the treatment of specified diseases using Arcturus' UNA Oligomer chemistry and LUNAR nanoparticle delivery platform.

Arcturus, which was founded in 2013, will receive an undisclosed upfront payment, R&D support and preclinical, development and sales milestone payments, as well as royalty payments on any future licensed product sales. Janssen will assume responsibility for development costs and all commercialization costs associated with the program. The collaboration brings together Arcturus' expertise and intellectual property in the field of RNA medicines along with Janssen's clinical development, regulatory, and marketing proficiency.