Pharma Giants Sanofi, Johnson & Johnson Join Forces To Develop E.coli Vaccine

Sanofi SA SNY struck a deal with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a unit of Johnson & Johnson JNJ, to develop and commercialize the vaccine candidate for extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (9-valent).

The vaccine is currently in Phase 3 E.mbrace trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of the 9-valent extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli vaccine (ExPEC9V) compared to placebo in the prevention of invasive E. coli disease caused by ExPEC9V O-serotypes. 

The study was started in 2021 by Janssen and continues to enroll patients.

Sanofi will pay J&J’s Janssen unit $175 million upfront and development and commercial milestones. Both will co-fund research and development costs. The vaccine is in late-stage clinical trials.

A profit-share arrangement will exist in the U.S., EU4 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain), and the U.K.. In the rest of the world (ROW), Janssen will receive tiered royalties and sales milestones.

Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli is a leading cause of sepsis, particularly in older adults. Sepsis is a life-threatening bloodstream infection accompanied by severe illness and widespread organ damage.

Price Action: JNJ shares are up 0.39% at $155.75, and SNY shares are up 0.30% at $53.74 during the premarket session on the last check Tuesday.