As part of its continued commitment to ensure global access to its COVID-19 vaccine, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) (the Company) today confirmed that it has concluded exploratory talks with the European Commission (EC) to provide its COVID-19 vaccine candidate to European Union (EU) Member States, subject to regulatory approval.
Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of
Johnson & Johnson, will now enter into contract negotiations with the EC. Under the proposed agreement, the EC would procure 200 million doses of Janssen’s SARS-CoV-2 candidate, Ad26.COV2.S on behalf of EU Member States and, potentially, other countries to be defined . The European Commission could further elect to purchase up to an additional 200 million Ad26.COV2.S vaccine doses.
“We are deeply committed to providing global access to our SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate. That’s why, as we proceed with development of our vaccine, we are simultaneously working with partners around the world including the European Commission and Member States to help us reach that goal,” said Paul Stoffels, M.D., Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chief Scientific Officer, Johnson & Johnson.
If regulatory approval for the Company’s vaccine is received, the Commission would be expected to facilitate a process for allocation of the vaccine doses among the Member States.
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Notice to Investors Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding development of potential preventive and treatment regimens for COVID-19. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019, including in the sections captioned “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and in the company’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.