Johnson & Johnson has acquired TARIS Biomedical LLC, a privately-owned biotechnology company specializing in novel drug delivery technology for the treatment of bladder diseases, including cancer. The company’s lead clinical-stage product, TAR-200, uses the proprietary TARIS System, which features a silicone-based drug delivery device that allows for the continuous release of medication into the bladder. Financial terms were not disclosed.     
 
“The TARIS technology provides a first-in-class clinical stage platform to evaluate novel, locally-delivered therapeutics for patients with localized bladder cancer,” said Peter Lebowitz, M.D., Ph.D., Global Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. “Together with the TARIS team, we look forward to advancing complete regimens to push towards early interception of bladder cancer with the goal of improving outcomes for patients and, ultimately, delivering cures.”
 
Janssen is building upon its innovative efforts and disease expertise to advance novel, locally-delivered therapeutic approaches with a strategy to intercept bladder cancer.
 
“The TARIS technology and scientific team create an unparalleled convergence opportunity with real potential to deliver differentiated, targeted therapeutics for the treatment of patients with localized bladder cancer,” said Mathai Mammen, M.D., Ph.D., Global Head, Janssen R&D, Johnson & Johnson. “We are eager to build upon the proof-of-concept data that the TARIS team has generated and advance clinical development of this drug delivery approach for patients who face a bladder cancer diagnosis, and potentially for other types of cancer in the future.”      
 
TARIS will maintain a research presence in Lexington, MA and become part of Janssen R&D’s Oncology Therapeutic Area. The team will remain focused on the optimization of drug candidates working together with Janssen R&D scientists to advance and deliver future clinical programs applying the TARIS technology, which arose from research conducted at MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research.