Johnson & Johnson's Icotyde Approved by FDA for Plaque Psoriasis
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 18 2026
0mins
Should l Buy JNJ?
Source: seekingalpha
- FDA Approval: Johnson & Johnson announced that its once-daily pill Icotyde, developed with Protagonist Therapeutics, has received FDA approval as a treatment for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, marking a significant breakthrough in treatment options.
- Successful Clinical Trials: Icotyde demonstrated strong efficacy in J&J's pivotal ICONIC clinical development program, achieving primary efficacy endpoints with a favorable safety profile across four Phase 3 studies involving 2,500 patients, enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Significant Market Need: Plaque psoriasis affects nearly 8 million Americans and 125 million people globally, with about 25% suffering from moderate-to-severe cases, and Icotyde offers an innovative treatment option for patients currently relying on topical therapies, addressing a critical market demand.
- Milestone Payments and Royalties: Protagonist Therapeutics announced that the FDA approval triggers a $50 million milestone payment and will receive 6%-10% royalties on Icotyde sales, along with potential future milestone payments of up to $580 million, significantly improving its financial outlook.
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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: 226.100
Low
190.00
Averages
218.50
High
240.00
Current: 226.100
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.
JOHNSON & JOHNSON RECEIVES CE MARK APPROVAL FOR NEW ETHICON™ 4000 STAPLER
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- Market Risks: Despite the significant price increase over the past year, CytomX's stock has dropped roughly 40% over the last five years, indicating that investors holding the stock for over four years may be facing losses, which underscores the inherent risks of small-cap healthcare investments.
- Large-Cap Stability: Johnson & Johnson, with a towering market cap of about $545 billion, achieved sales of $88.8 billion in 2024, with projections to grow to between $99.5 billion and $100.5 billion in 2026, showcasing its stable revenue streams and strong market position.
- Consistent Dividends: Johnson & Johnson not only provides stable income but has also increased its dividend for 64 consecutive years; while its sales growth may not match that of small-cap stocks, its stability and profitability make it an ideal choice for investors seeking stability and income.
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Investment Comparison: Small vs. Large Healthcare Stocks
- Small-Cap Potential: CytomX Therapeutics, a clinical-stage company with a market cap of around $1 billion, focuses on cancer treatments and has seen its stock price soar over 625% in the past year; however, with no approved drugs and a reported net loss of over $20 million in 2025, it exemplifies the high-risk, high-reward nature of small-cap investments.
- Investment Risks: While CytomX's stock has surged recently, it has dropped approximately 40% over the past five years, highlighting the volatility risks associated with early-stage companies, necessitating careful consideration of holding periods and potential losses by investors.
- Large-Cap Stability: Johnson & Johnson, with a market cap of about $545 billion, achieved sales of $88.8 billion in 2024, projected to rise to between $99.5 billion and $100.5 billion in 2026, showcasing a reliable revenue stream and the ability to consistently pay dividends, having increased its payout for 64 consecutive years.
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- Reduced Symptom Expression: Approximately 50% of patients achieved minimal symptom expression, with about one-third maintaining this status for at least eight weeks, further highlighting Imaavy's potential to enhance patient quality of life.
- Substantial IgG Reduction: The study revealed a 64% reduction in total IgG levels, including pathogenic IgG autoantibodies considered underlying drivers of gMG, suggesting Imaavy's positive role in immune modulation.
- New Study Initiated: Johnson & Johnson has begun enrolling patients for a head-to-head study comparing Imaavy with argenx's Vyvgart (efgartigimod alfa), aiming to further validate Imaavy's efficacy and safety, potentially introducing new competitive dynamics in the market.
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EXCLUSIVE: SOURCES REVEAL MERCK AND COMPETITORS SHOWING INTEREST IN INHIBRX'S EXPERIMENTAL CANCER TREATMENT LINKED TO KEYTRUDA
Interest in InhibRx: Merck and other rivals are showing interest in InhibRx, a company involved in experimental cancer drug development.
Key Drug Tied to Trudeau: The experimental cancer drug being discussed is reportedly linked to key figures, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
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- Policy Driving Research: President Trump signed an executive order directing health regulators to expedite reviews of psychedelic drugs and increase federal funding, responding to advocates like Joe Rogan, indicating a governmental acknowledgment of the potential medical uses of psychedelics.
- Clinical Trial Progress: Current trials show strong evidence for the use of psychedelics in treating severe depression and PTSD, particularly in patients unresponsive to existing treatments, suggesting these drugs could become viable new therapeutic options.
- Drug Authorization Status: In the U.S., Johnson & Johnson's esketamine nasal spray is approved for treatment-resistant depression, while countries like Australia and Switzerland have authorized psilocybin and MDMA for various uses, reflecting a global recognition of the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.
- Risk Assessment: Despite the therapeutic promise of psychedelics, risks such as acute anxiety and confusion during administration, as well as higher risks when used outside clinical settings, highlight the need for caution in their research and application.
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JOHNSON & JOHNSON RECEIVES CE MARK APPROVAL FOR NEW ETHICON™ 4000 STAPLER
Product Announcement: Johnson & Johnson has announced the approval of its new Ethicon™ 4000 stapler.
Significance: The new stapler is expected to enhance surgical procedures and improve patient outcomes.
See More
Investment Analysis of Small vs. Large Healthcare Stocks
- Small-Cap Potential: CytomX Therapeutics, a clinical-stage company with a market cap of around $1 billion, focuses on cancer treatments and has seen its stock price skyrocket over 625% in the past year; however, it faces risks with no approved drugs and a reported net loss exceeding $20 million in 2025, highlighting the volatility of investing in smaller firms.
- Market Risks: Despite the significant price increase over the past year, CytomX's stock has dropped roughly 40% over the last five years, indicating that investors holding the stock for over four years may be facing losses, which underscores the inherent risks of small-cap healthcare investments.
- Large-Cap Stability: Johnson & Johnson, with a towering market cap of about $545 billion, achieved sales of $88.8 billion in 2024, with projections to grow to between $99.5 billion and $100.5 billion in 2026, showcasing its stable revenue streams and strong market position.
- Consistent Dividends: Johnson & Johnson not only provides stable income but has also increased its dividend for 64 consecutive years; while its sales growth may not match that of small-cap stocks, its stability and profitability make it an ideal choice for investors seeking stability and income.
See More
Investment Comparison: Small vs. Large Healthcare Stocks
- Small-Cap Potential: CytomX Therapeutics, a clinical-stage company with a market cap of around $1 billion, focuses on cancer treatments and has seen its stock price soar over 625% in the past year; however, with no approved drugs and a reported net loss of over $20 million in 2025, it exemplifies the high-risk, high-reward nature of small-cap investments.
- Investment Risks: While CytomX's stock has surged recently, it has dropped approximately 40% over the past five years, highlighting the volatility risks associated with early-stage companies, necessitating careful consideration of holding periods and potential losses by investors.
- Large-Cap Stability: Johnson & Johnson, with a market cap of about $545 billion, achieved sales of $88.8 billion in 2024, projected to rise to between $99.5 billion and $100.5 billion in 2026, showcasing a reliable revenue stream and the ability to consistently pay dividends, having increased its payout for 64 consecutive years.
- Investment Strategy Choice: Choosing between small-cap and large-cap stocks hinges on investors' goals and risk tolerance, with small-caps appealing to those seeking high returns and large-caps better suited for those prioritizing stability and income.
See More
Johnson & Johnson's Imaavy Shows Promising Phase 3 Results for Myasthenia Gravis
- Significant Clinical Improvements: In a study involving patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), Johnson & Johnson's Imaavy (nipocalimab) demonstrated sustained clinical improvements with average reductions of 6.47 points in MG-ADL and 5.97 points in QMG scores over a 120-week observation period, indicating its effectiveness in treating gMG.
- Reduced Symptom Expression: Approximately 50% of patients achieved minimal symptom expression, with about one-third maintaining this status for at least eight weeks, further highlighting Imaavy's potential to enhance patient quality of life.
- Substantial IgG Reduction: The study revealed a 64% reduction in total IgG levels, including pathogenic IgG autoantibodies considered underlying drivers of gMG, suggesting Imaavy's positive role in immune modulation.
- New Study Initiated: Johnson & Johnson has begun enrolling patients for a head-to-head study comparing Imaavy with argenx's Vyvgart (efgartigimod alfa), aiming to further validate Imaavy's efficacy and safety, potentially introducing new competitive dynamics in the market.
See More
EXCLUSIVE: SOURCES REVEAL MERCK AND COMPETITORS SHOWING INTEREST IN INHIBRX'S EXPERIMENTAL CANCER TREATMENT LINKED TO KEYTRUDA
Interest in InhibRx: Merck and other rivals are showing interest in InhibRx, a company involved in experimental cancer drug development.
Key Drug Tied to Trudeau: The experimental cancer drug being discussed is reportedly linked to key figures, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
See More
Trump Signs Order to Accelerate Psychedelic Drug Research
- Policy Driving Research: President Trump signed an executive order directing health regulators to expedite reviews of psychedelic drugs and increase federal funding, responding to advocates like Joe Rogan, indicating a governmental acknowledgment of the potential medical uses of psychedelics.
- Clinical Trial Progress: Current trials show strong evidence for the use of psychedelics in treating severe depression and PTSD, particularly in patients unresponsive to existing treatments, suggesting these drugs could become viable new therapeutic options.
- Drug Authorization Status: In the U.S., Johnson & Johnson's esketamine nasal spray is approved for treatment-resistant depression, while countries like Australia and Switzerland have authorized psilocybin and MDMA for various uses, reflecting a global recognition of the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.
- Risk Assessment: Despite the therapeutic promise of psychedelics, risks such as acute anxiety and confusion during administration, as well as higher risks when used outside clinical settings, highlight the need for caution in their research and application.
See More
