Johnson & Johnson: Hold Rating Amid Stelara Patent Expiry and Strategic Acquisition

Nico Chen, an analyst from DBS, maintained the Hold rating on Johnson & Johnson (JNJ – Research Report). The associated price target remains the same with $160.00.

Nico Chen has given his Hold rating due to a combination of factors impacting Johnson & Johnson’s financial outlook. One of the primary concerns is the impending patent expiry of Stelara, a top-selling drug, which is expected to face significant competition from biosimilars entering the market in 2025. This competition, along with Medicare price negotiations, is anticipated to reduce Stelara’s sales significantly in the coming years.
On the positive side, Johnson & Johnson is making strategic moves to expand its presence in the brain disease treatment market through a major acquisition of Intra-Cellular Therapies. This acquisition is expected to provide access to promising drugs and clinical assets, potentially driving future growth. Despite these opportunities, the uncertainty surrounding Stelara’s future sales and the impact of the acquisition on the company’s financials contribute to the Hold rating, as the stock’s potential upside appears limited at the current valuation.

In another report released on May 15, Leerink Partners also downgraded the stock to a Hold with a $153.00 price target.