Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has today said it has taken on responsibility for the sales, marketing and distribution of infliximab and golimumab in the UK.

In a statement, J&J said the addition of infliximab and golimumab, brand names Remicade and Simponi respectively, into its immunology portfolio “represents a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to provide trusted and reliable healthcare solutions for patients in need.”

Infliximab is an anti-inflammatory medicine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Crohn’s disease, paediatric CD, ulcerative colitis (UC), paediatric UC, radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (ankylosing spondylitis), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis.

Golimumab is also an anti-inflammatory medicine that treats RA, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, PsA, radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (ankylosing spondylitis), non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and UC.

Merck Sharp & Dohme (UK) Limited (MSD) transferred the commercialisation and distribution of infliximab and golimumab to Janssen-Cilag Ltd, a Johnson & Johnson Company, who assumed commercial activities from October 1 this year.

J&J said it “collaborated closely with MSD during the transition process to prevent any impact to the lives of patients using infliximab and golimumab.”