Johnson & Johnson delivered robust second-quarter 2025 results driven by exceptional performance in oncology and neuroscience, prompting the pharmaceutical giant to raise its full-year outlook and set ambitious long-term growth targets for its cancer portfolio.
The New Jersey-based company reported global sales of $23.7 billion, representing 5.8% year-over-year growth, with its innovative medicine unit contributing $15.2 billion. Both divisions exceeded analyst expectations, with medicine sales coming in 4% above consensus estimates.
Oncology Portfolio Powers Growth
J&J's oncology division emerged as the standout performer, posting 24% growth fueled by market share gains across multiple therapeutic areas. Multiple myeloma blockbuster Darzalex led the charge with sales of $3.54 billion, representing 23% growth. The company's CAR-T cell therapy Carvykti generated $439 million in sales, while prostate cancer drug Erleada continued its strong trajectory.
The launches of bispecific antibodies Tecvayli, Talvey, and Rybrevant served as additional growth drivers, demonstrating the company's expanding oncology pipeline. CEO Joaquin Duato announced an ambitious target to grow oncology sales to $50 billion by 2030, a forecast that is at least three times above the 2028 consensus.
"If you take a look at the 90% of our business that is not Stelara, we actually had extraordinarily robust growth of 15.5%, really demonstrating the strength across our portfolio," said Jennifer Taubert, worldwide chairman of innovative medicine at J&J. "We had 13 brands that were growing double digits."
Taubert highlighted bladder cancer candidate TAR-200 as the asset with "the biggest disconnect between our internal forecasts and what the Street expects," suggesting significant upside potential in the company's pipeline.
Neuroscience Division Shows Resilience
The neuroscience division delivered 15.1% growth on a reported basis, primarily driven by rising demand for depression drug Spravato (esketamine). This growth occurred despite headwinds from the Medicare Part D redesign and an unfavorable patient mix that depressed sales of drugs including the atypical antipsychotic Invega Sustenna.
Stelara Biosimilar Impact Intensifies
While growth areas flourished, J&J faced mounting pressure from biosimilar competition to its inflammatory disease drug Stelara (ustekinumab). Sales plummeted 42.7% to $1.65 billion, creating an approximately 1,170 basis point (11.7%) impact on overall growth. The declining Stelara sales more than offset growth from Tremfya and Simponi, causing immunology sales to fall 15.4%.
The company expects Stelara biosimilar competition to accelerate in the second half of the year, with the Medicare Part D redesign cited as an additional headwind affecting multiple products across the portfolio.
MedTech Division Contributes to Beat-and-Raise Quarter
J&J's MedTech division generated $8.54 billion in sales, up 7.3%, with growth primarily driven by electrophysiology products and Abiomed in cardiovascular, as well as wound closure products in general surgery.
Raised Guidance Reflects Strong Performance
Based on the strong quarterly performance, J&J raised its full-year 2025 sales guidance from $91-91.8 billion to $93.2-93.6 billion, adding $2 billion to the midpoint of the company's estimate. The company also increased its adjusted earnings guidance to $10.80-$10.90 per share, up from the prior range of $10.50-$10.70.
CFO Joe Wolk noted that the company reduced its expected tariff costs for this year by half to $200 million, suggesting improved operational efficiency despite external pressures.
The quarter's results demonstrate J&J's successful portfolio transformation, with oncology and neuroscience growth more than offsetting biosimilar pressures on legacy products, positioning the company for continued expansion in high-growth therapeutic areas.
