Latest news with #J&J
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Boston Jury Hits Johnson & Johnson with Record $42M Verdict in Asbestos Baby Powder Case
Dean Omar Branham Shirley attorneys secure verdict by linking mesothelioma to asbestos in J&J talc products BOSTON, July 29, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A Boston jury has sided with Paul and Kathryn Lovell in a lawsuit against cosmetic behemoth Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) that asserted Mr. Lovell's mesothelioma was directly caused by the company's iconic, asbestos-laced baby powder. The jury awarded $42,609,300, making it what lawyers believe to be the largest mesothelioma verdict in Massachusetts history. During the two-week trial, jurors heard compelling arguments from Dean Omar Branham Shirley attorneys Aaron Chapman and Danny Kraft, who detailed how Johnson & Johnson and its affiliated entities knowingly concealed for decades the health risks associated with their talc products. The attorneys presented internal documents showing the company's awareness of asbestos contamination, its failure to adopt safer alternatives and systematic manipulation of scientific testing methods. The jury agreed that the company not only failed to warn consumers, but also actively misled the public and regulators by suppressing test results and spreading false assurances about product safety. "This verdict is not just about Paul Lovell. It's about every consumer who was told these products were safe," said Mr. Chapman. "For years, Johnson & Johnson ignored its own internal warnings and scientific evidence about the presence of asbestos in its talc. The jury has sent a strong message: Corporate misconduct will not be tolerated." Mr. Lovell, 69, and his wife have been married for 45 years. A father of four, he used Johnson's Baby Powder on himself and his children, trusting it was safe. They have lived in the same home in Melrose, Massachusetts, for decades. "Paul never worked in a factory, never used joint compound, and never had any occupational exposure to asbestos. Instead, like untold millions of Americans, he was a lifelong user of J&J's Baby Powder," said Mr. Kraft. "He trusted the product on himself and on his children." The jury found the company's actions amounted to negligence and breach of warranty. The Lovell family was also represented by Leslie-Anne Taylor of Thornton Law Firm LLP. The case is Paul Lovell and Kathryn Lovell v. Johnson & Johnson, Civil Action No. 21-2086, filed in Middlesex County Superior Court in Massachusetts. Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP, is a nationally recognized trial firm that handles cases across the country for individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries or have died as a result of irresponsible conduct of others. For more information, please visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact:BeLynn Hollers800-559-4534belynn@
Business Wire
17 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Boston Jury Hits Johnson & Johnson with Record $42M Verdict in Asbestos Baby Powder Case
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A Boston jury has sided with Paul and Kathryn Lovell in a lawsuit against cosmetic behemoth Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) that asserted Mr. Lovell's mesothelioma was directly caused by the company's iconic, asbestos-laced baby powder. The jury awarded $42,609,300, making it what lawyers believe to be the largest mesothelioma verdict in Massachusetts history. For years, Johnson & Johnson ignored its own internal warnings and scientific evidence about the presence of asbestos in its talc. The jury has sent a strong message: Corporate misconduct will not be tolerated.' Share During the two-week trial, jurors heard compelling arguments from Dean Omar Branham Shirley attorneys Aaron Chapman and Danny Kraft, who detailed how Johnson & Johnson and its affiliated entities knowingly concealed for decades the health risks associated with their talc products. The attorneys presented internal documents showing the company's awareness of asbestos contamination, its failure to adopt safer alternatives and systematic manipulation of scientific testing methods. The jury agreed that the company not only failed to warn consumers, but also actively misled the public and regulators by suppressing test results and spreading false assurances about product safety. "This verdict is not just about Paul Lovell. It's about every consumer who was told these products were safe,' said Mr. Chapman. 'For years, Johnson & Johnson ignored its own internal warnings and scientific evidence about the presence of asbestos in its talc. The jury has sent a strong message: Corporate misconduct will not be tolerated.' Mr. Lovell, 69, and his wife have been married for 45 years. A father of four, he used Johnson's Baby Powder on himself and his children, trusting it was safe. They have lived in the same home in Melrose, Massachusetts, for decades. 'Paul never worked in a factory, never used joint compound, and never had any occupational exposure to asbestos. Instead, like untold millions of Americans, he was a lifelong user of J&J's Baby Powder,' said Mr. Kraft. 'He trusted the product on himself and on his children.' The jury found the company's actions amounted to negligence and breach of warranty. The Lovell family was also represented by Leslie-Anne Taylor of Thornton Law Firm LLP. The case is Paul Lovell and Kathryn Lovell v. Johnson & Johnson, Civil Action No. 21-2086, filed in Middlesex County Superior Court in Massachusetts. Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP, is a nationally recognized trial firm that handles cases across the country for individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries or have died as a result of irresponsible conduct of others. For more information, please visit
Globe and Mail
18 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $42-million after U.S. jury finds talc caused man's cancer
Johnson & Johnson JNJ-N must pay more than US$42-million to a Massachusetts man who alleges that he developed mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, after using the company's talc products for decades, a jury found on Tuesday. Paul Lovell and his wife Kathryn sued the company in 2021, claiming Johnson & Johnson's products contained asbestos and Paul was sickened after he inhaled the fibres. They claimed J&J knew the product contained asbestos and would be inhaled when it was used, but did nothing to warn consumers about the risks. The jury awarded the Lovells $42,608,300 for pain and suffering, medical expenses and other damages. Reuters watched the proceeding through Courtroom View Network. In a statement, attorneys for the Lovells said they hope J&J will acknowledge its liability and not make the family go through years of appeals to confirm that the company's baby powder caused Paul Lovell's disease. Erik Haas, J&J's global vice-president of litigation, said the verdict was based on 'junk science' and the company plans to immediately appeal. The company says that its products are safe, do not contain asbestos and do not cause cancer. J&J stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. in 2020, switching to a cornstarch product. In the past year, the company has been hit with several substantial verdicts in mesothelioma cases. In April of last year, an Illinois jury awarded a woman with mesothelioma US$45-million. Several months later, an Oregon jury awarded another woman US$260-million. In October, the company was hit with a US$15-million verdict in another mesothelioma case, and earlier this year, a jury awarded a Massachusetts woman US$8-million. However, the company has had success on appeal. In September, an Oregon state judge granted J&J's motion to throw out the US$260-million verdict in a mesothelioma case and hold a new trial. Cases alleging Johnson & Johnson's talc products caused mesothelioma are part of sprawling litigation in federal and state court claiming the products cause that and other cancers, including ovarian cancer. Johnson & Johnson is facing lawsuits from more than 63,000 plaintiffs who say they were diagnosed with cancer after using baby powder and other talc products, according to court filings. That number is as high as 100,000 when counting claimants who haven't sued, Haas has said. The number of lawsuits alleging talc caused mesothelioma is a small subset of these cases. The vast majority allege ovarian cancer. Johnson & Johnson has sought to resolve claims through bankruptcy, a proposal that faced stiff opposition from some plaintiffs' attorneys and has been rejected three times by federal courts. In March, a U.S. bankruptcy judge rejected the latest proposal, which would have seen the company paying US$10-billion to end thousands of lawsuits over claims its talc products caused gynecologic cancers. Lawsuits alleging talc caused mesothelioma were not part of the last bankruptcy proposal. The company has previously settled some of those claims but has not struck a nationwide settlement.
Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
AstraZeneca tops expectations on robust drug sales, US demand
July 29 (Reuters) - AstraZeneca (AZN.L), opens new tab on Tuesday beat second-quarter revenue and profit expectations on robust sales of newer cancer, heart and kidney disease medicines and strong demand in the U.S., where it has invested $50 billion to expand amid tariff threats from Washington. The performance is a boost for the UK's largest-listed company by market value as the wider sector braces for U.S. tariffs on pharmaceutical imports and navigates pressure after President Donald Trump's order pushing for drugmakers to cut U.S. prices to what other countries pay. AstraZeneca shares rose as much as 3% to about 111 pounds by 0923 GMT, hitting their highest since early April. The drugmaker in April forecast only a limited impact from potential U.S. tariffs, adding it would be able to meet its annual outlook if the levies on European imports were similar to those in other industries. A European Union-U.S. trade deal over the weekend will result in a 15% tariff on pharmaceuticals from the region. The U.S. accounted for more than 40% of AstraZeneca's revenue in 2024. The company had prioritised the market - the world's largest, worth $635 billion - even before Trump's return to office. Novartis (NOVN.S), opens new tab this month also said potential new U.S. tariffs would not affect its 2025 guidance, and J&J (JNJ.N), opens new tab halved its expectations for costs this year related to new levies and raised its full-year forecasts. However, Abbott(ABT.N), opens new tab flagged an over $1 billion hit in 2025 from the duties and a drop in demand for COVID tests. AstraZeneca is betting on a wave of expected launches of 20 new medicines and its U.S. expansion to reach $80 billion in annual revenue by 2030 and offset generic competition. On Tuesday, it maintained its 2025 outlook and increased its interim dividend by 3%. "Our strong momentum in revenue growth continued through the first half of the year and the delivery from our broad and diverse pipeline has been excellent," CEO Pascal Soriot said. Sales of oncology drugs, constituting nearly half of AstraZeneca's revenue, were up 18% at $6.31 billion at constant currency rates in the quarter. Jefferies analysts said sales of drugs including Tagrisso, Lynparza, Calquence, Truqap and Imfinzi beat expectations. Total revenue for the three months ended June grew 11% to $14.46 billion, with double-digit growth in the U.S. despite headwinds from changes in U.S. Medicare price negotiations. Core earnings stood at $2.17 per share. That compares with analysts' expectations of $2.16, and $14.15 billion in sales, according to a company-provided consensus. "Operationally, this is the type of quarter we want to see," Barclays analysts said. AstraZeneca is also hoping to move on from scandals in its second-biggest market, China, where it this year faced minor fines related to cancer drugs. It is also fighting patent challenges from an individual against Tagrisso. The company also delayed late-stage AVANZAR trial data for a key lung cancer treatment to the first half of 2026.
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
How Johnson & Johnson Stock (JNJ) Discovered a New Lease of Life
Biopharma giant Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ) stock hit new highs this year after reporting its Q2 results on July 16th, giving the market a clear signal that it's reigniting growth with practically flawless numbers—a potential turning point for the second half of the year. The upwardly revised guidance and expectations for strong margin expansion, despite lingering litigation concerns, have brought fresh optimism to the stock and appeased shareholders clamoring for added value. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. While the stock isn't as discounted as it was earlier this year, valuations still look reasonable. Given JNJ's strong compounding potential and this renewed bullish momentum, I see it as a Buy. How J&J's Strong Quarter Sets the Stage for Growth Johnson & Johnson stock has been rangebound for years, weighed down by a mix of factors, including a massive wave of lawsuits claiming its talc-based baby powder caused cancer due to asbestos contamination, as well as expiring drug patents, such as its blockbuster Stelara losing exclusivity. Last but not least is sluggish growth and an eroded safe-haven reputation, since legacy consumer brands like Tylenol, Listerine, and Band-Aid have low growth and face margin pressure from cheap competition. According to TipRanks data, JNJ has underperformed the S&P quite considerably since 2024. Johnson & Johnson's latest Q2 earnings may mark a true inflection point toward more consistent alpha generation. The company delivered exactly what it needed— beating both earnings and revenue expectations —while issuing a notable upward revision to guidance: an additional $2 billion in forecasted sales and $0.25 more in projected EPS. For a pharma giant like J&J, that's a clear signal of renewed momentum following a prolonged period of litigation-related overhang. Management also reaffirmed its full-year outlook for a 300-basis-point improvement in operating margin, raising it from approximately 25.4% to 28.4%. Notably, the quarter wasn't just about numbers. J&J reported compelling 5-year trial results for its multiple myeloma immunotherapy—an encouraging sign in the fight against a challenging cancer. The company also set an ambitious goal: to become the global leader in oncology by 2030, with a target of over $50 billion in cancer drug sales. With a potential $5 billion peak opportunity in bladder cancer and a strong pipeline aimed at offsetting losses from aging blockbusters, J&J is signaling that real innovation is back at the forefront. Breaking Free from the Margin Squeeze While markets often reward margin expansion, Johnson & Johnson looks especially well-positioned to benefit going forward. In addition to raising full-year earnings guidance, the company also delivered positive updates on cost pressures— halving its expected tariff impact from $400 million to $200 million and projecting a $1.1 billion tailwind from favorable currency shifts as the U.S. dollar weakens. The reduced tariff burden is primarily attributed to the MedTech division, which is more exposed to global supply chains and international manufacturing than the pharmaceutical segment. That's a clear tailwind for margins and future profitability. It's also important to note how strategic portfolio decisions have helped set the stage for this improvement. The 2023 spin-off of Kenvue—essentially the entire Consumer Health business—removed a lower-margin segment from the mix, sharpening J&J's focus on higher-margin areas. This move highlights the company's commitment not only to defending margins but also to actively growing them. In today's market, stability alone isn't enough—investors are looking for real margin expansion, and Johnson & Johnson seems intent on delivering. Analysts have responded by raising their EPS estimates for 2025 and 2026 by about 2% compared to before Q2 earnings. They now expect full-year EPS in 2025 to hit $10.86 —an 8.7% increase from last year—and to reach $11.34 in 2026, representing an annual growth rate of 4.4%. Reasonable Valuation with Growth on the Horizon Johnson & Johnson is a vast, stable, and diversified company, so its valuation tends to reflect relative stability rather than wild growth. Looking at its forward earnings multiple, currently around 15.5x, it's basically in line with the five-year average. This is well above the lows seen earlier this year, when it traded as low as 11x forward earnings in January. To me, this suggests the valuation isn't necessarily cheap, but it's reasonable. Comparing J&J's current earnings multiples over the last twelve months to its main peers, the 17.5x P/E ratio sits close to the sector average. Except for Merck & Co. (MRK), J&J is actually one of the more discounted names in the group. Finally, with a dividend yield of almost 3%, the stock no longer appears exuberant, and the yield isn't particularly compelling—especially when compared to the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield. However, J&J's payout ratio is typically safe, at around 50% of earnings, which helps build shareholder trust. Additionally, the market is now anticipating a more positive growth trajectory following the recent upward revisions to guidance, both last quarter and earlier this year. Is JNJ Stock a Buy, Hold, or Sell? Wall Street sentiment on Johnson & Johnson remains mixed, with more caution than conviction among analysts. Of the 19 analysts who have issued ratings over the past three months, nine are bullish, while the remaining ten are neutral. The average price target stands at $176.35, suggesting a modest upside of approximately 4.3% from the current share price. Johnson & Johnson Positioned for Consistent Alpha Generation Johnson & Johnson has, in my view, successfully restored market confidence in both its innovation pipeline and cost discipline—key pillars that could drive renewed growth and support reliable shareholder returns for decades to come. For long-term investors, initiating a position now is essentially a bet on a proven dividend combined with steady capital appreciation—an attractive formula that has historically outperformed the broader market. While the stock appears fairly valued at current levels, it offers compelling potential for compounding returns and consistent alpha generation in the years ahead.
