J&J beats quarterly sales and profit estimates on cancer drug sales
By Patrick Wingrove and Bhanvi Satija
(Reuters) – Johnson & Johnson reported fourth-quarter sales and profit that topped Wall Street estimates on Wednesday in a new $14.6 billion deal to buy neurological drugmaker Intra-Cellular, driven by strong sales of its cancer treatments.
The New Jersey-based drugmaker said it expects 2025 sales of $90.9 billion to $91.7 billion and earnings between $10.75 and $10.95 on an adjusted basis. Analysts were expecting 2025 sales of $90.98 billion and earnings of $10.56 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.
J&J’s fourth-quarter sales stood at $22.52 billion, up 5.3 percent from a year ago and beating analysts’ expectations of $22.42 billion, according to LSEG data.
On an adjusted basis, the company earned $2.04 in the quarter — which includes a 22-cent charge related to the acquisition of medical device maker V-Wave — down 11% from a year earlier but beating analysts’ estimates of $2.01. Share.
Global sales of J&J’s cancer drugs rose 19% in the quarter, up from 20.9% a year earlier.
“Darzalex continues to be a pillar in terms of performance,” J&J Chief Financial Officer Joe Wolk said in an interview, adding that Shockwave Medical’s sales helped drive growth.
J&J has been on an acquisition spree to grow its drug and device businesses since it spun off its consumer division in 2023. Last week, it announced a $14.6 billion deal for Intra-Cellular to grow its psychiatric portfolio — its biggest deal in two years. Medicines.
Last year, J&J bought cardiac device maker Shockwave Medical for $13.1 billion. Shockwave generated $258 million in sales for the quarter and $564 million for the year, J&J said.
J&J’s innovative medical unit brought in fourth-quarter sales of $14.33 billion, while its medtech unit brought in $8.19 billion, up 4.4% and 6.7% from a year ago.
Sales of J&J’s blockbuster psoriasis treatment Stelara fell 14.7% to $2.35 billion in the fourth quarter. Analysts were expecting sales of $2.25 billion, according to LSEG data.
A close-up of the Stelara, which was launched last year in Europe, Canada and a few other markets. Several Stelara biosimilars are expected to launch in the US this year.
For the full year, Stelara posted revenue of $10.36 billion, representing more than 18% of J&J’s total drug sales of $56.96 billion for 2024. Analysts were expecting sales of $10.59 billion for Darzalex.
