Janssen Biotech, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, has entered into a worldwide exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. to develop, manufacture and commercialize PTG-200, a first-in-class, oral interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) antagonist drug candidate in development for the treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). PTG-200 is currently in Investigational New Drug (IND) enabling studies and the initiation of a Phase I trial is planned in 2017.

Protagonist will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive development and commercialization milestones, as well as royalties on sales with the option to co-detail in the U.S. 

“The addition of PTG-200 to the Janssen Immunology portfolio builds upon our expertise and leadership in the IL-23 pathway and we look forward to advancing this novel oral IL-23R antagonist into clinical development,” said Susan B. Dillon, Ph.D., Global Therapeutic Area Head, Immunology, Janssen.  “Together with Johnson & Johnson Innovation, we have forged a strong relationship with the Protagonist Therapeutics team over the course of several years.  We look forward to continuing a strong and productive collaboration in progressing this novel oral candidate for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.” 

“We look to continue to pioneer the science of inflammatory bowel disease and advance novel therapeutics like PTG-200, an oral therapy that targets a validated pathway and acts locally in the gut at the site of disease,” said Scott E. Plevy, M.D., vice president, Disease Area Leader, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Janssen.  “We’re particularly excited to add an oral peptide-based therapy to our robust portfolio as we aim to address the increasing incidence of inflammatory bowel disease and the growing needs of people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis around the world.”