During its presentation at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference 2025, Johnson and Johnson (J&J) suggested it would undertake an aggressive strategic approach in the immunology space for the coming year. While speaking at the conference, J&J’s CEO, Joaquin Duato, indicated the company’s willingness to protect Stelara, its branded anti-interleukin (IL)-12/23 biologic, against sales erosion from the pending launches of less expensive biosimilars. The company expects an erosion curve similar to the relatively slow loss of market share and revenue shown by AbbVie’s branded blockbuster adalimumab therapy, Humira.
The launch of cheaper adalimumab biosimilars in the US market in early 2023 did not result in the expected precipitous fall in Humira’s revenue or market share size. AbbVie’s ability to sustain its position and delay its loss of the adalimumab market was attributed to its rebate programmes for patients and delays in the adoption of competitors’ adalimumab biosimilars by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). J&J’s suggestion of similar aggressive positioning for Stelara may be representative of the company’s overall strategy in the immunology space.
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Vigorous protection of Stelara’s position in the immunology market aligns with a strategy to grow in the space. During the presentation, Duato also indicated the company’s excitement for the anticipated growth of Tremfya in the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) market, with 2024’s approval of the anti-IL-23 biologic in ulcerative colitis and an expected approval of the therapy for Crohn’s disease. Duato also mentioned that the company views the future entrance of its orally administered IL-23 asset in development, JNJ-2113, as a significant market disruptor. J&J’s aggressive position with Stelara may be seen as a stop-gap against the growth of IL-12/23 biosimilars, allowing an opportunity for Tremfya to take ground in the immunology space, as well as making way for the launch of the oral candidate.
Duato also highlighted JNJ-2113’s oral route of administration as a favourable option for patients over intravenous or subcutaneous biologics. His reference to the therapy as having similar efficacy to current biologics implies that the drug will be positioned as a viable and preferable option for patients in the anti-IL-23 space, but not as a more efficacious new therapy.
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