Janssen Pharmaceutical to invest $10 million in global Dementia Discovery Fund

Mar 17 2015

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced that its Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies will invest $10 million in a new UK government-led global dementia discovery fund that will support innovative research to help find new ways to prevent and treat dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The investment will be made through its affiliate venture arm, Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC, Inc.

The global Dementia Discovery Fund, of which Johnson & Johnson is a founding collaborator with the UK Government Department of Health, brings together industry, governments and nonprofit organizations to create new sources of investment to support novel translational science.

"At Johnson & Johnson, we are proud to work with the UK government and other partners on the establishment of the global Dementia Discovery Fund," said Paul Stoffels, M.D., Worldwide Chairman, Pharmaceuticals and Chief Scientific Officer, Johnson & Johnson. "Alzheimer's disease is one of the most critical public health problems, and it will be solved by working collaboratively. This means supporting leading scientists and working side by side with industry, government, and other groups to fund promising science that will lead to new treatments."

Dementia is a progressive condition that slowly robs people of their ability to think and function. It is caused by a variety of brain illnesses that affect memory, thinking, behavior and the ability to perform everyday activities. Dementia can be overwhelming for people who have it and for their caregivers and families. A lack of awareness and understanding of dementia results in stigma, barriers to diagnosis and care, and negative physical, psychological, and economic effects.

Approximately 44 million people worldwide suffer from dementia. This number is expected to double by 2030 and more than triple by 2050.

Johnson & Johnson and its Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies have a strong tradition of investment in innovative science and collaborations in Alzheimer's disease. Janssen has a comprehensive Alzheimer's disease research and development program, focused on slowing or preventing disease progression. Janssen researchers are studying hallmarks of the illness – amyloid plaques, tau tangles and loss of nerve cell connections in the brain, all of which can lead to Alzheimer's dementia. Their research projects include small molecule treatments, antibodies and therapeutic vaccines. Janssen also has many current scientific collaborations in this area.

SOURCE Johnson & Johnson