Janssen and WuXi Advanced Therapies Enter into TESSA™ Technology License Agreement to Accelerate Cell and Gene Therapy Development
On August 12, Janssen Biotech, Inc. (“Janssen”), a subsidiary of Janssen Pharmaceuticals under Johnson & Johnson, entered into a licensing agreement with WuXi Advanced Therapies, the cell and gene therapy-focused CTDMO under WuXi AppTec, to license Janssen’s use of WuXi Advanced Therapies’ TESSA™ proprietary technology. The licensing agreement was led by Johnson & Johnson Innovation.
TESSA™ technology is a high-performance system for manufacturing adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, yielding AAV titers that are 10-fold higher than those produced by conventional methods. Meanwhile, Wuhan Youngsen Biotech Co., Ltd. can also utilize WuXi Advanced Therapies’ patented clonal suspension HEK293 cell line.
Cell and gene therapies represent a prominent development direction in the current biopharmaceutical sector. According to Frost & Sullivan data, the global CGT market is projected to maintain a growth rate exceeding 65% after 2021, with an estimated market size of USD 30.539 billion by 2025.1 The development of cell and gene therapies continues to gain momentum, progressively transitioning from basic research to clinical applications. Having garnered widespread market recognition and attention, numerous innovative pharmaceutical companies are vying to establish their presence in the cell and gene therapy landscape.
The licensing agreement between Janssen and WuXi Advanced Therapies regarding TESSA™ technology underscores Janssen’s continued commitment to cell and gene therapies. Vectors are indispensable tools in cell and gene therapy, serving as a critical link from research and development to clinical application and commercialization. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, capable of transducing a wide variety of cell and tissue types, are regarded as one of the most promising gene delivery vehicles. However, due to stringent safety requirements and complex technical mechanisms, large-scale manufacturing of AAV vectors has long remained a challenge in the field. This collaboration between Janssen and WuXi Advanced Therapies represents a significant step toward overcoming the barriers to scalable AAV vector production.
Dr. Dan Wang, Head of Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Asia Pacific“He stated, ‘After eight years of dedicated cultivation and proactive expansion, we have become deeply embedded in the innovation ecosystem of the Asia-Pacific region, continuously translating early-stage innovations emerging from this area into therapeutic solutions that benefit patients. We are delighted to collaborate with WuXi Advanced Therapies to jointly advance the research and development of cell and gene therapies.’”
Dr. Youxiang Zhang, CEO of WuXi Advanced Therapiesstated, “We are honored that Janssen has chosen WuXi TESSA™ technology. We will continue to enhance the capabilities and scale of the TESSA™ platform, improving the R&D production efficiency and feasibility of AAV products, thereby benefiting patients worldwide.”