Johnson & Johnson drops OSE’s rheumatoid arthritis drug

Johnson & Johnson has dumped OSE Immunotherapeutics’ autoimmune candidate FR104. J&J picked up the rights to the CD28 antagonist for €10 million ($11 million) upfront in 2016, but clinical progress stalled following the deal. The potential for FR104 to improve outcomes in autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis caught J&J’s attention in 2013. Back then, J&J secured an exclusive option the drug, which is designed to control T effector functions and thereby stop the immune system from damaging tissues. Three years later, with phase 1 data supporting FR104’s safety and pharmacokinetics, J&J took up its option. At the time, OSE planned to work with J&J to decide whether rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis or another indication represented the best path through the clinic. Rheumatoid arthritis emerged as the chosen indication but the anticipated phase 2 trial never materialized.