Kenvue's Study Finds No Autism Link with Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 17 2026
0mins
Should l Buy JNJ?
Source: seekingalpha
- Study Findings: An analysis of 43 studies indicates no clinically significant increase in the risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability from acetaminophen use during pregnancy, alleviating public concerns regarding Kenvue's (KVUE) painkiller.
- Data Sources: The research team utilized databases like ClinicalTrials.gov to gather comprehensive data, ensuring the reliability of findings that contribute to discussions about the drug's impact on fetal development.
- Legal Context: Following President Trump's association of the medication with autism, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued J&J (JNJ) and Kenvue (KVUE) for failing to warn about potential risks in their marketing literature, heightening public scrutiny of the drug.
- M&A Activity: Kenvue (KVUE) has entered into a $48.7 billion cash and stock acquisition agreement with Kimberly-Clark (KMB), demonstrating the company's pursuit of growth opportunities despite ongoing legal challenges.
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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: 238.110
Low
190.00
Averages
218.50
High
240.00
Current: 238.110
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.
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- Clinical Trial Results: In four Phase 3 studies involving 2,500 patients, ICOTYDE met all primary efficacy endpoints, with approximately 70% of patients achieving clear or almost clear skin at Week 16, demonstrating substantial therapeutic effectiveness.
- Good Safety Profile: The incidence of adverse reactions for ICOTYDE was comparable to placebo at just 1.1%, with no new safety signals identified through Week 52, indicating its safety for long-term use.
- Patient Support Program: Johnson & Johnson has launched the ICOTYDE withMe patient support program, offering free resources and dedicated support to help patients navigate their treatment, thereby enhancing patient experience and adherence to therapy.
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- Milestone Payment Incentive: The FDA approval triggers a $50 million milestone payment to Protagonist, with eligibility for up to $580 million in additional regulatory and sales milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties ranging from 6% to 10% on global net sales, greatly improving the company's financial outlook.
- Analyst Optimism: H.C. Wainwright analyst Douglas Tsao noted that the earlier-than-expected approval and
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- Changing Competitive Landscape: Icotyde targets the same IL-23 receptor as J&J's Tremfya and AbbVie's Skyrizi, offering a relatively simple and safe treatment option that could alter the competitive dynamics in psoriasis treatment.
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- Increased Patient Acceptance: Targeting the IL-23 receptor, Icotyde offers a non-injection treatment option, expected to attract 75% of the 8 million U.S. psoriasis patients who typically avoid injections, significantly enhancing patient treatment experiences.
- Future Expansion Plans: J&J is also testing Icotyde for other autoimmune conditions such as psoriatic arthritis and Crohn's disease, further broadening its market applications and strengthening the company's strategic position in the biopharmaceutical sector.
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- Increased Market Penetration: Analysts noted that the introduction of Icotyde could help expand the market, with current penetration rates at 30-40%, suggesting that Skyrizi still has room for growth, with a projected CAGR of 14% from FY25-28E.
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- 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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