Medivir and Janssen are expected to initiate an R&D program aimed at co-developing drugs based on the inhibition of the dengue NS3 protease activity.
Both companies will be contributing equal resources to the program.
Medivir will receive pre-agreed royalties on net sales of future products that reflect its contribution to the development of products, and will also have the option of continuously contributing equal funding for the non-clinical and clinical development stages.
Medivir CEO and president Ron Long said the company, with its strong experience in the discovery of protease inhibitors, has taken a strategic step forward by collaborating with Janssen.
"We believe that dengue NS3 protease inhibitors offer the best prospect for effective treatment of dengue fever and look forward to working closely with our partner to take this project forward," Long said.