Johnson & Johnson Completes Acquisition of Yellow Jersey Therapeutics

Johnson & Johnson has successfully completed the acquisition of Yellow Jersey, a demerged subsidiary of Numab Therapeutics, to secure the global rights to NM26, anovel, investigational first-in-class bispecific antibody being evaluated for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD).

The all-cash transaction is valued at approximately $1.25 billion, as announced on May 28, 2024.

NM26, which is ready to enter phase 2 studies in AD, targets two clinically proven pathways, IL-4R alpha subunit (IL-4Rα) and IL-31, which trigger Th2-mediated skin inflammation and skin itch, respectively.

“NM26 is designed to help different subpopulations of patients by targeting two disease-driving pathways, which is key when treating a heterogeneous disease like AD,” David Lee, Global Immunology Therapeutic Area Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, said in a company news release. “We are excited about the potential this represents to transform the standard of care for AD, as well as other inflammatory skin diseases involving Th2 inflammation and itch.”