Latest news with #Johnson&Johnson
Yahoo
13 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
16 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
17 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.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Hematologist Dissatisfaction with Current Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (w-AIHA) Treatment Spurs Interest in Late-Stage Pipeline, According to Spherix Global Insights
Hematologists are poised to jump on new market entrants once available, as high unmet need and frustration with current treatment standards persist in w-AIHA. EXTON, PA, July 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to new findings from Spherix Global Insights' syndicated Market Dynamix™ service, hematologists managing patients with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (w-AIHA) continue to face clinical complexity, a lack of clear treatment algorithms, and suboptimal outcomes across large segments of their patient population. w-AIHA is a rare hematologic condition in which the body's immune system produces antibodies (primarily IgG) that target and destroy red blood cells at normal body temperatures. It is the most common subtype of autoimmune hemolytic anemia, representing approximately 60–70% of AIHA cases. While the exact prevalence remains difficult to pinpoint, recent research estimates the annual incidence at 1–3 cases per 100,000 individuals in the US.1 Insights from a recent survey of 55 hematologists and 8 in-depth physician interviews reveal that nearly half of patients with w-AIHA are not optimally managed, and only one-quarter maintain stable hemoglobin levels above 10 g/dL. While steroids remain the default first-line treatment, physician satisfaction remains low, with many calling for steroid-sparing options that deliver longer-lasting control and address refractory disease. Hematologists also report significant logistical and clinical hurdles, including delayed referrals, reliance on emergency care for diagnosis, and poor insurance coverage contributing to suboptimal care. Comorbidities such as hypertension, obesity, and acute anemia further complicate management in an already fragile population. The future treatment landscape, however, may offer new hope. Physicians highlighted a strong interest in several late-stage pipeline therapies, including nipocalimab (Johnson & Johnson), rilzabrutinib (Sanofi), and ianalumab (Novartis), with each seen as potentially meaningful advances. Physicians approximate that nearly half of their patients may be candidates for at least one of these agents, citing excitement around novel mechanisms, potential for sustained efficacy, and ability to reduce steroid dependence. As hematologists await more definitive guidance and data, they remain aligned in their call for treatments that can deliver durable response, safety, and flexibility across varying levels of disease severity. The w-AIHA space is poised for disruption, but not without overcoming entrenched beliefs and real-world access barriers. Market Dynamix™ is an independent, data-driven service focused on understanding the evolving dynamics of specialty markets poised for disruption. Leveraging quantitative and qualitative research, the service evaluates current treatment approaches, unmet needs, and likely impact of pipeline agents over a three-to-five-year horizon. About Spherix Global Insights Spherix is a leading independent market intelligence and advisory firm that delivers commercial value to the global life sciences industry, across the brand lifecycle. The seasoned team of Spherix experts provides an unbiased and holistic view of the landscape within rapidly evolving specialty markets, including dermatology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, nephrology, neurology, ophthalmology, and hematology. Spherix clients stay ahead of the curve with the perspective of the extensive Spherix Physician Community. As a trusted advisor and industry thought leader, Spherix's unparalleled market insights and advisory services empower clients to make better decisions and unlock opportunities for growth. To learn more about Spherix Global Insights, visit or connect through LinkedIn. For more details on Spherix's primary market research reports and interactive dashboard offerings, visit or register here: NOTICE: All company, brand or product names in this press release are trademarks of their respective holders. The findings and opinions expressed within are based on Spherix Global Insight's analysis and do not imply a relationship with or endorsement of the companies or brands mentioned in this press release. CONTACT: Sarah Hendry, Hematology Franchise Head Spherix Global Insights 4848794284
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Johnson & Johnson Launches VIRTUGUIDE™ AI-Powered Patient-Matched Lapidus System in U.S. to Reduce Complexity in Bunion Surgery for Millions
Early VIRTUGUIDE™ surgeons report a 30-minute reduction in surgical time versus traditional treatment1,2,*,** WEST CHESTER, Penn., July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) – Johnson & Johnson MedTech, a global leader in orthopaedic technologies and solutions, today announced the launch of the VIRTUGUIDE™ System. This AI-powered, patient-matched solution is designed to support Lapidus procedures2, a type of bunion surgery that helps realign the foot by joining two bones near the arch (the first metatarsal bone and the medial cuneiform).3 The system uses pre-operative planning software, developed in collaboration with PeekMed®, to assess each patient's bunion and make personalized recommendations for the intended correction.2 Bunions are among the most common foot problems, affecting nearly one-third of adults in the U.S.4, yet traditional Lapidus surgery to treat the condition is often challenging.5,6 The VIRTUGUIDE™ AI Lapidus System addresses this by enabling a streamlined approach and reducing surgical complexity.2** Early users estimated procedural time savings of at least 30 minutes when using the system compared to their previous technique.1,* "VIRTUGUIDE™ has completely transformed my approach to bunion surgery, making a complex Lapidus procedure significantly easier and faster. Since adopting VIRTUGUIDE™, my surgical corrections have been spot-on—what I plan preoperatively is exactly what I achieve in the operating room," said Michael Campbell, M.D., FAAOS, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon at Atlantic Orthopaedic Specialists.± "This improved accuracy leads to better outcomes, and the ability to present the pre-operative plan to my patients helps address their questions and ease their concerns§." "The VIRTUGUIDE™ System is a pivotal advancement in AI-powered surgical precision for treating bunion deformities—a common, painful, and potentially debilitating condition affecting nearly one-third of Americans4," said Oray Boston, Worldwide President of Trauma, Extremities, Craniomaxillofacial, Animal Health and Sports Medicine, Orthopaedics, Johnson & Johnson MedTech. "This milestone marks an important step forward, as VIRTUGUIDE™ becomes the latest addition to our growing portfolio of VELYS™ Enabling Tech solutions. By automating surgical planning and tailoring instrumentation to each patient, the system helps reduce complexity in the operating room and helps surgeons to achieve the intended correction2,7**." This launch follows the 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the Pre-operative Planning Software, granted earlier this year.‖ The system is now available in the U.S. For more information, visit Orthopaedic Solutions from Johnson & Johnson MedTech Across Johnson & Johnson, we are tackling the world's most complex and pervasive health challenges. In Orthopaedics, we are on a mission to keep people moving by leveraging our deep expertise in joint reconstruction, robotics and enabling tech, spine, sports, trauma, and extremities, to develop the next generation of medtech solutions. We offer one of the most comprehensive Orthopaedics portfolios in the world that helps heal and restore movement for the millions of patients we serve. For more, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn. About Johnson & JohnsonAt Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more about our MedTech sector's global scale and deep expertise in cardiovascular, orthopaedics, surgery and vision solutions at Follow us at @JNJMedTech and on LinkedIn. DePuy Synthes Products, Inc. is a Johnson & Johnson company. Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the VIRTUGUIDE™ System. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: uncertainty of commercial success; challenges to patents; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; manufacturing difficulties and delays; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. Important Information: Prior to use, refer to the instructions for use supplied with the device(s) or indications, contraindications, warnings and precautions. © Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates 2025. All rights reserved. US_ORT_FTAK_398543 * Statements are based on responses from 10 surgeons, having completed a total of 150 Lapidus procedures using the VIRTUGUIDE™ System. The statements reflect surgeon experience, not clinical outcomes, and were included if at least 6 surgeons agreed.** VIRTUGUIDE™ System compared to Treace Medical Lapiplasty® 3-Plane System and Paragon28 Bun-Yo-Matic Lapidus Clamp System.± Dr. Michael Campbell, M.D., FAAOS is a paid consultant for Johnson & Johnson MedTech.§These statements reflect the experience, approach and opinion of the surgeon.‖ The VIRTUGUIDE™ Planning Software, powered by PeekMed®, is developed and owned by Peek Health, S.A. Refer to for user manuals, FAQ's, or any support. The third-party trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners. 1 Johnson & Johnson MedTech, VIRTUGUIDE™ System Early Surgeon Experience Report December 2024, Windchill Document# EM24-00282 Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates VIRTUGUIDE™ System Feature Memo. 9th Dec 2024. Windchill # EM24-0027. 3 American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society. Lapidus Procedure. FootCareMD. Accessed June 24, 2025. 4 MedlinePlus. Bunion: Genetic and Environmental Causes. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available at Accessed March 2025.5 Rupke T. The modified Lapidus procedure for the treatment of moderate to severe hallux valgus. Orthogate. Published October 30, 2013. Accessed June 26, 2025. Foran IM, Lin J, Hamid KS, Lee S. Technical tip: kerfing for Lapidus arthrodesis: deformity correction with minimal bone resection. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2021;60(2):424-427. doi:10.1053/ 7 Sobrón FB, Santos-Vaquinhas AD, Alonso B, et al. Technique tip: 3D printing surgical guide for pes cavus midfoot osteotomy. J Foot and Ankle Surgery. 2022;28:371-377. Media Contacts:Erin Farley efarley1@ Abhi Basuabasu26@ Investor Contact:investor-relations@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Johnson & Johnson MedTech Sign in to access your portfolio