Johnson & Johnson develops consortia to tackle Ebola

Global healthcare company Johnson & Johnson has announced the formation of consortia to help accelerate the development of its Ebola vaccine.

The project group is one of the beneficiaries of Innovative Medicines Initiative’s (IMI) Ebola+ funding programme. The consortia comprises Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, part of Johnson & Johnson, and other international research institutions and non-government organisations.

Paul Stoffels, chief scientific officer and worldwide chairman for pharmaceuticals at Johnson & Johnson said: “In the face of the global challenge of Ebola, bringing together the expertise and capabilities of the pharmaceutical industry, academic centres and NGOs will be critical to help solve this crisis. The European Commission’s support through IMI bolsters collaboration that should significantly accelerate efforts to help address this humanitarian crisis.”

The funding from the IMI was announced to support several consortia working together on four projects. Three of the projects are designed to address the need to accelerate Phase I, II and III trials and scale up production of the prime-boost vaccine regimen. A Phase I trial led by Oxford Vaccines Group is currently underway, with trials in Africa being planned. The Phase II and III trials in Europe and Africa, subject to review of the preliminary Phase I data, will be carried out in parallel. A fourth project will investigate innovative ways and technology to raise awareness and acceptance of vaccination campaigns.

Organisations joining Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies in the consortia include the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the University of Oxford, the Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM), La Centre Muraz, Bavarian Nordic A/S, Vibalogics, Grameen Foundation and World Vision of Ireland.

Adding his thoughts, Professor Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: “It is great to see the multiple partners come together to accelerate the development of an effective vaccine both for the current epidemic and future outbreaks. This is an opportunity to make sure that this is the last Ebola epidemic in which our only tools to control it are isolation and quarantine.”

The Ebola+ programme has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking (JU). The JU receives funding from the Horizon 2020 and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations.