Crucell will commence a discovery program for a universal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. The vaccine will be designed to prevent severe infections with the most common RSV strains in infants and the elderly. This discovery program is part of an existing strategic collaboration with Johnson & Johnson through its subsidiary Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
In September 2009, Johnson & Johnson and Crucell entered into a strategic collaboration for the development and commercialization of a universal monoclonal antibody product for the treatment and prevention of influenza A. The collaboration involves four programs focused on the development and commercialization of a universal influenza A vaccine as well as innovative products directed against three other disease targets. The universal RSV vaccine was selected as the second program.