Janssen Biotech (division of Johnson & Johnson (J&J)) has announced a collaboration with a subsidiary of Theravance Biopharma for the co-development and commercialization of TD-1473, an asset being pursued for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The deal will help J&J create an early-phase pipeline for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) within the immunology portfolio which is historically backed by company’s flagship products such as Remicade® (infliximab), Stelera® (ustekinumab) and Simponi® (golimumab). This is another important deal for J&J at a time when it is facing biosimilar competition in the US for Remicade.