On March 13, Janssen was invited to take part in a Science Media Centre media briefing on the development of potential treatments for coronavirus (COVID-19), held in London.

Here, Professor Hanneke Schuitemaker, our Global Head of Viral Vaccine Discovery and Translational Medicine, and Disease Area Stronghold Leader for Viral Vaccines, spoke about our multi-pronged approach to combat COVID-19.

On January 29, we announced that we were mobilising resources to develop a vaccine candidate to protect against COVID-19, while also initiating screening of our library of antiviral therapies.

To further accelerate our vaccine research programme and accelerate the discovery of potential COVID-19 therapies, we have expanded our partnership with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the US Department of Health & Human Services. Together, we are hopeful we can identify a vaccine candidate for this virus and start Phase 1 clinical studies within approximately 8-12 months.

We hope that a vaccine candidate can ultimately be deployed quickly and extensively to help combat this outbreak.

Our philosophy is that global health security is everyone’s responsibility and requires coordinated effort from governments, civil society and healthcare companies. We are committed to working alongside these organisations to identity and develop effective vaccines and/or therapies against COVID-19.

As ever, we are driven by our Credo – our top priority remains our patients, customers and employees. We will remain on the front lines of this health crisis, bringing our full resources and minds to combat it.

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