Locus Biosciences Inc., a biotechnology company developing precision antibacterial therapies, announced today that it has entered into an exclusive collaboration and license agreement with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Janssen), one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, to develop, manufacture and commercialize CRISPR-Cas3-enhanced bacteriophage (“crPhage™”) products targeting two key bacterial pathogens for the potential treatment of infections of the respiratory tract and other organ systems.  Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC facilitated the transaction.

Under the terms of the agreement, Locus will receive $20 million in initial payments, and is eligible to receive up to a total of $798 million in potential future development and commercial milestone payments, and royalties on any product sales.