Johnson & Johnson

Accord BioPharma's IMULDOSA (ustekinumab-srlf), a biosimilar to STELARA, received FDA approval for chronic inflammatory conditions on Oct 14, 2024, and a positive opinion from the CHMP on Oct 17, 2024, for European marketing authorization.

Medtronic received FDA approval for its Affera mapping and ablation system for treating persistent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Affera combines mapping technology with a catheter capable of radiofrequency (RF) and pulsed field ablation (PFA), distinguishing it from existing PFA-only systems like Medtronic’s Pulseselect and Boston Scientific’s Farapulse. Analysts view Affera as a significant upgrade, potentially shifting physician preference from 100% Farapulse to a mix including Affera and Johnson & Johnson’s Varipulse. The approval positions Affera to compete with Abbott and J&J in RF ablation, with potential market impact expected to ramp up by fiscal 2026.

Johnson & Johnson's Spravato, an esketamine nasal spray for depression, saw global sales of $780 million in the first nine months of 2024, a 62% increase from the previous year. Initially criticized for efficacy and pricing, Spravato's growth is attributed to increased marketing, safety data accumulation, and potential FDA approval as a monotherapy. With forecasts of $1 billion to $5 billion in peak sales, Spravato is poised to become a blockbuster drug.

Healthcare ETFs like iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB), Vanguard Health Care Index Fund ETF Shares (VHT), and Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) offer stability and growth. Factors such as aging population, chronic diseases, and workforce shortages drive higher demand. Q3 2024 saw the largest M&A activity in healthcare, with $13.30 billion in transactions. AI investments and digital health innovations are boosting the sector, with the global AI in healthcare market projected to reach $148.40 billion by 2029.

Johnson & Johnson's Simon Lovestone discusses leveraging the A/T/N biomarker framework to advance Alzheimer’s disease research, aiming to alter disease progression before significant daily life impact. Precision neuroscience, using tau protein and digital, blood, and imaging biomarkers, seeks earlier, biologically based predictions. The A/T/N framework categorizes patients by amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration biomarkers, aiding diagnosis and guiding treatment. Challenges include expanding knowledge of biomarkers beyond A/T/N, understanding coexisting neurodegenerative pathologies like alpha-synuclein and TDP43, and vascular disease. The integration of hypothesis-driven and hypothesis-free approaches, enhanced by large biofluids proteomics datasets, aims to identify novel biomarkers and drug targets.

The global Rx-to-OTC switches market is projected to reach USD 66.5 billion by 2033, driven by consumer convenience, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory support.

The global biotechnology market is projected to grow from US$ 550.83 billion in 2024 to US$ 2667.36 billion by 2034, driven by advancements in synthetic biology, CRISPR gene editing, and genomic sequencing. Increasing health issues and genetic abnormalities are boosting demand for biopharmaceuticals. North America leads in market share, while India's agricultural biotechnology sector is rapidly expanding.

Janssen-Cilag wins EC approval for Darzalex SC in NDMM patients, backed by Phase 3 PERSEUS study showing significant PFS improvement and 75.2% MRD negativity rate.

The global Small Molecule Drug Discovery market is projected to grow from $40.2B in 2023 to $58.4B by 2030, driven by targeted therapies, AI-based drug design, and the expiration of biologic patents. Oncology leads in therapeutic areas, with North America and Europe dominating the market, while Asia-Pacific shows high growth potential.