In addition to our own research and development activities, Crucell has formed strategic agreements with several leading companies. Through these agreements, our technologies are playing a vital role in the development of a number of vaccine and antibody products.
An exciting strategic collaboration between Crucell and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) was announced in September 2009.
The focus of the strategic partnership will be the discovery, development and commercialization of monoclonal antibodies and vaccines for the treatment and prevention of influenza, as well as other diseases.
Johnson & Johnson, through its affiliate JHC Nederland B.V., has also purchased 14.6 million newly issued ordinary shares of Crucell, representing approximately 18% of Crucell's outstanding ordinary shares, for an aggregate purchase price of € 301.8 million. In addition, the companies have agreed to development milestones and royalty payments based on the successful development and commercialization of products in connection with the collaboration.
Over the years, Crucell and Merck have developed a close working partnership, entering into a number of agreements. In October 2000, Crucell entered into an agreement with Merck, in which Merck was granted an exclusive license to use Crucell’s PER.C6® cell line in developing a vaccine against HIV*.
In June 2003, Merck and Crucell expanded a Cooperation Agreement whereby the two companies agreed to work closely on matters relevant to maintenance of the PER.C6® Cell Substrate Biologics Master File. Merck and Crucell further expanded their relationship in December 2006, when both companies signed a cross-licensing agreement for vaccine production technology.
* The development of this vaccine was discontinued in September 2007 but this was unrelated to the use of Crucell’s PER.C6® technology.
In April 2005, sanofi pasteur, with Crucell as a subcontractor, received a US$97 million contract by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for clinical development of PER.C6®-based influenza vaccine and other related activities.
In December 2007, Crucell and sanofi pasteur signed an exclusive collaboration and commercialization agreement for Crucell's rabies monoclonal antibodies, next-generation rabies biologicals, to be used with rabies vaccine for post-exposure prophylaxis against this fatal disease.
In July 2007 Crucell entered into a co-exclusive license agreement with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth, for the use of our PER.C6® and Advac® technology.
In March 2008 both companies entered into an exclusive vaccine development agreement. Crucell is responsible for the development and manufacture of certain components of a vaccine for use by Wyeth in clinical studies. The development activities takes place in Crucell's dedicated vaccine manufacturing facilities in Bern, Switzerland.
On January 7th, 2009 Crucell announced that it was in friendly discussions with Wyeth regarding a potential combination of the two companies. On January 26th, 2009 Crucell announced that Wyeth withdrew from these discussions.