J&J Unveils Future Plans for Blockbuster Drug Launches

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) revealed on Wednesday plans to bolster its drug portfolio over the next five years.

The healthcare giant’s pharmaceutical unit intends to launch or file for regulatory approval more than 10 novel therapies with blockbuster potential between 2017 and 2021.

J&J’s announcement notes it anticipates two notable products could gain approval and be launched later this year.

The first one is psoriasis treatment guselkumab, which has delivered strong efficacy and safety data in comparison studies against the rival therapy Humira developed by AbbVie.

Another treatment for rheumatoid arthritis developed in conjunction with GlaxoSmithKline could give the company an advantage in this market as well. The injectable biotech drug sirukumab was shown to significantly produce less joint erosion and joint space narrowing compared to a placebo.

Also, a filing for prostate cancer treatment apalutamide could came later this year, according to FiercePharma. J&J acquired this asset from Aragon Pharmaceuticals in 2013 for a deal worth an estimated $1 billion.

Consensus sales from Wall Street analysts predict sales for guselkumab could hit $533 million by 2020 while sirukumab could reach $463 million that year.

“With a growing core business of differentiated medicines and a strong line-up of innovative products expected to launch or file over the next five years, we are leading the industry in advancing the health of patients around the world,” said J&J’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alex Gorsky, in a statement. Our pharmaceutical business will continue to be a significant driver of innovation and growth for Johnson & Johnson. With our proven global commercial capabilities and robust pipeline, we are well-positioned to continue delivering strong, long-term, sustainable growth.”

Other aspects of this plan to drive growth will also entail filing for more than 50 line extensions of existing and new medicines in order to expand patient access.

First quarter sales for J&J were trimmed slightly due to an industry wide slowdown in consumer health product sales and by payers demanding bigger rebates for certain prescription drugs.