Royalty Pharma and J&J Partner on $500M Autoimmune Therapy Breakthrough

Royalty Pharma plc (Nasdaq: RPRX) today announced a research and development (R&D) co-funding agreement with Johnson & Johnson for a total of $500 million in 2026 and 2027 to advance the development of JNJ-4804, an investigational medicine for autoimmune diseases.

JNJ-4804 is a novel co-antibody therapy that blocks the complementary interleukin-23 (IL-23) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) pathways, delivering synergistic effects on the pathogenesis of chronic immune-mediated diseases.

"We are delighted to collaborate with Johnson & Johnson on the clinical development of JNJ-4804," said Pablo Legorreta, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Royalty Pharma. "Royalty Pharma has a strong track record of investing in immunology, beginning with early disease-modifying biologics including TNF inhibitors. Johnson & Johnson is a recognized leader in immunology and we believe JNJ-4804 holds substantial promise for patients with chronic immune-mediated diseases. We see this as an exciting opportunity that builds on our commitment to partnering with global biopharma companies."

Goodwin Procter LLP acted as legal advisors to Royalty Pharma.

Founded in 1996, Royalty Pharma is the largest buyer of biopharmaceutical royalties and a leading funder of innovation across the biopharmaceutical industry, collaborating with innovators from academic institutions, research hospitals and non-profits through small and mid-cap biotechnology companies to leading global pharmaceutical companies. Royalty Pharma has assembled a portfolio of royalties which entitles it to payments based directly on the top-line sales of many of the industry's leading therapies. Royalty Pharma funds innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry both directly and indirectly - directly when it partners with companies to co-fund late-stage clinical trials and new product launches in exchange for future royalties, and indirectly when it acquires existing royalties from the original innovators. Royalty Pharma's current portfolio includes royalties on more than 35 commercial products, including Vertex's Trikafta and Alyftrek, Johnson & Johnson's Tremfya, GSK's Trelegy, Roche's Evrysdi, Servier's Voranigo, Biogen's Tysabri and Spinraza, AbbVie and Johnson & Johnson's Imbruvica, Astellas and Pfizer's Xtandi, Pfizer's Nurtec ODT, and Gilead's Trodelvy, among others, and 19 development-stage product candidates.