The main objective of the deal will be to develop a short-duration, highly effective, pan-genotypic, oral regimen for the treatment of HCV.
An initial regimen that is planned to be explored will feature Achillion’s ACH-3102, an NS5A inhibitor currently in Phase II clinical trials.
ACH-3102 has been granted Fast Track designation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in combination with an NS3/4A HCV protease inhibitor plus an NS5B HCV polymerase inhibitor from the collaboration.
Janssen Infectious Diseases and Vaccines global therapeutic area head and Alios BioPharma president and CEO Lawrence Blatt said: "Despite recent treatment advances, there remain significant unmet needs to effectively address the burden which hepatitis C inflicts on both patients and society.
"Janssen is committed to optimizing outcomes and the new collaboration with Achillion offers the potential to develop a new, simplified treatment option for those affected by hepatitis C."
As part of the deal, Achillion will grant Janssen an exclusive, worldwide license to develop and, upon regulatory approval, commercialize HCV products and regimens containing one or more of the licensed HCV assets.
In return, Achillion will be eligible to secure milestone payments based upon the achievement of specified development, regulatory and sales milestones and tiered royalties on future worldwide sales.