Strong New Drugs Propel Growth for J&J
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 13 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Analyst Upgrade: Leerink analysts upgraded Johnson & Johnson's stock rating from hold to buy, emphasizing that the launch of new drugs Icotyde and Inlexzo will drive revenue growth and accelerate stock performance.
- Icotyde Sales Forecast: Analysts project Icotyde sales to reach $405 million by fiscal year 2026, significantly above the Street consensus of $268 million, indicating strong market demand and growth potential.
- Inlexzo Initial Performance: J&J CFO disclosed for the first time that Inlexzo's quarterly sales surpassed $30 million, which analysts view as a strong market signal indicating success during the initial launch phase.
- Price Target Increase: Leerink raised J&J's price target from $252 to $265, implying over 15% upside, reflecting optimistic expectations for the company's future growth.
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Analyst Views on JNJ
Wall Street analysts forecast JNJ stock price to fall
20 Analyst Rating
13 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 230.800
Low
190.00
Averages
218.50
High
240.00
Current: 230.800
Low
190.00
Averages
218.50
High
240.00
About JNJ
Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries are engaged in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of a range of products in the healthcare field. The Company’s segments include Innovative Medicine and MedTech. The Innovative Medicine segment is focused on various therapeutic areas, including immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, oncology, pulmonary hypertension, cardiovascular and metabolism. Its products include REMICADE (infliximab), SIMPONI (golimumab), SIMPONI ARIA (golimumab), STELARA (ustekinumab), TREMFYA (guselkumab), EDURANT (rilpivirine), and INVEGA SUSTENNA/XEPLION (paliperidone palmitate). The MedTech segment includes a portfolio of products used in cardiovascular, orthopedics, surgery, and vision categories. The Cardiovascular portfolio includes electrophysiology products to treat heart rhythm disorders and circulatory restoration products (Shockwave) for the treatment of calcified coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD).
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Survival Rate Improvement: Johnson & Johnson's CHRYSALIS-2 study reveals that the combination of RYBREVANT and LAZCLUZE achieves a median overall survival of nearly 3.5 years in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, indicating significant potential for improving long-term patient outcomes in this challenging population.
- Consistency of Efficacy: The analysis shows consistent treatment responses across atypical EGFR mutation subgroups, including those historically linked to poorer prognoses, further validating the effectiveness and broad applicability of this therapeutic combination.
- Clinical Significance: These findings contribute to the growing evidence supporting the use of RYBREVANT plus LAZCLUZE in first-line treatment, potentially offering durable survival benefits for non-small cell lung cancer patients and driving transformative changes in clinical practice.
- Market Reaction: Despite the positive study results, JNJ's stock price fell by 2.37% to $225.33 in Friday's trading, reflecting overall market sentiment towards the biopharmaceutical sector and investor caution regarding new therapies.
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- Stock Price Volatility: Despite meeting expectations for Q1 FY2027, Walmart's stock price dropped over 9% from May 20 to 26 due to a cautious outlook, reflecting market concerns over rising fuel costs impacting operations and consumer spending.
- Technology-Driven Growth: The introduction of the Walmart+ subscription plan has proven successful, with members spending four times more than non-members, and the quarterly revenue from membership fees increased by double digits, showcasing effective service transformation.
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- Survival Rate Data: Johnson & Johnson's RYBREVANT-LAZCLUZE combination therapy achieved a median overall survival of nearly 3.5 years in 49 patients with advanced lung cancer carrying atypical EGFR mutations, indicating the therapy's potential in treating this patient group.
- Study Results Presentation: The findings were presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting; however, despite the positive data, JNJ's stock fell 2.3% during Friday trading, reflecting market caution regarding the new therapy's reception.
- Long-term Survival Rates: The data showed that 55% of patients treated with the combination were alive after three years and 46% after four years, suggesting the therapy's potential for durable disease control, which could influence future treatment decisions.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Stocktwits sentiment on JNJ improved from “neutral” to “bullish,” indicating investor optimism about the therapy's prospects, with the stock gaining over 47% in the past 12 months.
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- Significant Survival Improvement: In the CHRYSALIS-2 study, the combination of RYBREVANT® and LAZCLUZE® achieved a median overall survival of 3.5 years in patients, significantly surpassing the two-year survival with current standard treatments, indicating the potential of this combination in difficult-to-treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.
- Addressing Unmet Needs: Approximately 10-20% of EGFR mutation patients have atypical mutations, with limited effective first-line treatment options available; the dual-targeting mechanism of RYBREVANT® may provide more durable treatment outcomes for these patients, potentially reshaping treatment strategies.
- Consistent Clinical Activity: The clinical activity of RYBREVANT® plus LAZCLUZE® remained consistent across various atypical EGFR mutation subgroups, with 41% of patients continuing treatment after two years, further supporting the combination's tolerability and effectiveness.
- Favorable Safety Profile: The safety of RYBREVANT® and LAZCLUZE® combination therapy was consistent with previous reports, with most adverse events being Grade 1 or 2, and no new safety signals observed, ensuring patient safety during long-term treatment.
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- Survival Rate Improvement: The CHRYSALIS-2 study demonstrated that the combination of RYBREVANT® and LAZCLUZE® achieved a median overall survival of nearly 3.5 years in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), indicating significant long-term efficacy in this difficult-to-treat population and potentially altering treatment paradigms.
- Objective Response Rate: The study reported a primary endpoint of a 57% objective response rate for the combination therapy, highlighting its substantial clinical activity in patients with atypical EGFR mutations and addressing the urgent market need for effective treatment options.
- Good Patient Tolerance: Among treated patients, 41% remained on RYBREVANT® for two years or longer, suggesting excellent tolerability of the treatment regimen, which may provide patients with more durable disease control.
- Significant Clinical Implications: The use of RYBREVANT® in combination with LAZCLUZE® not only targets common EGFR mutations but also extends to atypical mutations, filling a critical gap in current treatment options and indicating broad future application potential in lung cancer therapy.
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