Johnson & Johnson reported first-quarter earnings that exceeded expectations, driven by strong demand for its cancer medication Darzalex and psoriasis treatment Tremfya. These gains helped counterbalance a significant drop in sales of its leading autoimmune drug, Stelara.
The company recorded adjusted earnings of $2.70 per share, surpassing analyst estimates of $2.66. Revenue climbed nearly 10 percent year-over-year to $24.1 billion, outperforming the anticipated $23.6 billion.
Nevertheless, Stelara continued to experience substantial challenges following patent expiration and competition from biosimilars, with sales plunging approximately 60 percent to $656 million. Despite this, growth was fueled by Darzalex, which generated $4 billion in quarterly sales, and Tremfya, which contributed $1.6 billion—both figures exceeding analyst predictions.
Stelara’s decline was partly offset by promising developments in the company’s pipeline, including the recently approved oral psoriasis drug Icotyde. The new treatment has shown early traction, with around 1,500 prescriptions filled within a few weeks of launch.
In a significant development, Johnson & Johnson raised its full-year 2026 revenue and earnings guidance slightly, reflecting steady demand across its core products. However, the company remains cautious due to ongoing pricing pressures and evolving competitive dynamics in the pharmaceutical market.
