The primary focus of the partnership will be drugs based on monoclonoal antibody technology with the ultimate goal of developing an influenza vaccine capable of protecting against seasonal and pandemic strains.
Crucell was in $1.35bn (€921m) takeover talks with Wyeth prior to that firm’s mega-merger with fellow US drug major Pfizer earlier this year.
Under the new deal, which is being carried out through its JHC Nederland affiliate, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has agreed not to buy anymore Crucell share for a three year period without the Dutch firm’s consent.
