Johnson & Johnson's third-quarter financial results reveal significant growth in key therapeutic areas, while the company prepares for major changes in its product portfolio. The pharmaceutical giant is navigating the approaching loss of exclusivity for its blockbuster drug Stelara while building momentum with newer treatments.
Strong Performance from Emerging Therapies
Tremfya, J&J's immune disease medication, demonstrated solid growth with a 9% increase in U.S. sales, despite facing similar rebate pressures as Stelara. The company's leadership expressed high confidence in Tremfya's potential, with Jennifer Taubert, J&J's innovative medicines chief, projecting it could match or exceed Stelara's market presence. The recent expansion into ulcerative colitis treatment strengthens this outlook, with plans for further growth into Crohn's disease treatment.
Carvykti, the company's cell therapy for multiple myeloma, has gained significant traction following FDA approval for second-line treatment. The therapy's accessibility has improved substantially with the activation of two new manufacturing facilities - one in New Jersey and another in Europe - addressing the complex production requirements inherent to CAR-T cell therapies.
Preparing for Stelara Transition
The company faces a significant challenge with Stelara, which generated nearly $11 billion in sales in 2023. The drug has already encountered biosimilar competition in Europe, contributing to a 7% decline in third-quarter sales compared to the previous year. U.S. market dynamics will shift further when Amgen's Wezlana, an interchangeable biosimilar, launches on January 1, 2025.
J&J's Chief Financial Officer Joe Wolk drew parallels with AbbVie's Humira experience, suggesting Stelara might follow a similar trajectory. Humira saw a more than 30% sales decline in 2023 after U.S. biosimilar entry, providing a potential preview of Stelara's future market performance.
Manufacturing and Market Access
The expansion of manufacturing capabilities has proven crucial for Carvykti's growth. The specialized nature of CAR-T cell therapy production, requiring individual genetic engineering of patient immune cells, makes manufacturing capacity a critical factor in market access. The new facilities are enabling J&J to meet increasing patient demand and support the therapy's broader approved indications.
Despite challenges in its medical device division and the looming Stelara patent expiration, J&J maintains an optimistic outlook, reflected in its decision to raise operational sales guidance for the year. This confidence signals the company's strong positioning with its newer therapeutic options and strategic preparation for upcoming market changes.
