Company background
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) was founded in 1886 in New Brunswick, New Jersey by brothers Robert Wood Johnson, James Wood Johnson, and Edward Mead Johnson. The company built early commercial success on sterile surgical supplies and antiseptic dressings, expanded into consumer healthcare through the 20th century (Band-Aid, Tylenol, Johnson's Baby), and developed substantial pharmaceutical and medical device operations.
Joaquin Duato became CEO in January 2022 succeeding Alex Gorsky. Duato had been with J&J since 1989. He has led the company through the Kenvue consumer health spinoff, the sustained talc litigation, and the broader strategic refocus on pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
The Kenvue spinoff (August 2023)
J&J completed the separation of its consumer health business as Kenvue in May 2023 through an IPO. J&J subsequently completed the split-off in August 2023, distributing remaining Kenvue shares to J&J shareholders. Kenvue (NYSE: KVUE) operates the consumer brands that historically anchored public J&J recognition — Band-Aid, Tylenol, Listerine, Neutrogena, Aveeno, Johnson's Baby, Nicorette, and the broader consumer health portfolio.
The post-Kenvue J&J focuses on two segments: Innovative Medicine (pharmaceuticals, previously Janssen Pharmaceuticals before the 2024 brand consolidation) and MedTech (medical devices, including DePuy Synthes orthopedics, Ethicon surgical, Cerenovus neurovascular, and the Cordis cardiovascular operations).
The Innovative Medicine portfolio
Stelara (ustekinumab). The IL-12/IL-23 inhibitor for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. Stelara was J&J's largest single drug by revenue ($10B+ peak) before biosimilar competition began entering the market in 2024-2025.
Darzalex (daratumumab). The multiple myeloma anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. One of J&J's most successful oncology drugs.
Tremfya (guselkumab). IL-23 inhibitor for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Expanded indication for inflammatory bowel disease.
Erleada (apalutamide). Prostate cancer treatment.
Imbruvica (ibrutinib). The Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor co-developed with AbbVie (formerly Pharmacyclics, which AbbVie acquired in 2015 for $21 billion).
Carvykti (ciltacabtagene autoleucel). CAR-T cell therapy for multiple myeloma, co-developed with Legend Biotech.
Spravato (esketamine). Treatment-resistant depression nasal spray. One of the first major novel psychiatric drugs in decades.
Akeega. Prostate cancer combination therapy.
The talc litigation
J&J has navigated sustained multidistrict litigation related to talc-based products (primarily Johnson's Baby Powder) and ovarian cancer/mesothelioma claims. The company has pursued multiple strategies to resolve the litigation through proposed bankruptcy proceedings of subsidiary LTL Management (subsequently renamed Red River Talc LLC after multiple corporate reorganizations) and proposed comprehensive settlement structures.
The 2024 proposed $9 billion talc settlement framework was rejected by bankruptcy courts. The company has continued to navigate the litigation through both individual case adjudication and broader settlement negotiation. The talc cases represent one of the largest pharmaceutical/consumer-products tort cycles of the modern era. J&J discontinued talc-based baby powder sales in North America in 2020 and globally in 2023, switching to cornstarch-based formulations.
The MedTech segment
DePuy Synthes. Orthopedics — hip and knee replacement, spine surgery, trauma, sports medicine. One of the largest orthopedics businesses globally.
Ethicon. Surgical sutures, energy devices, endo-surgical tools. The category-leading surgical sutures position dates to the 1949 J&J acquisition.
Cerenovus. Neurovascular interventional devices for stroke treatment.
Abiomed acquisition (December 2022). J&J completed the $16.6 billion acquisition of Abiomed, bringing the Impella heart pump franchise into the MedTech portfolio.
Shockwave Medical acquisition (May 2024). J&J completed the $13.1 billion acquisition of Shockwave Medical, the intravascular lithotripsy specialist, expanding the cardiovascular intervention portfolio.
The historical Tylenol legacy
The 1982 Tylenol cyanide tampering crisis — in which seven people died in the Chicago area after taking Tylenol capsules that had been laced with potassium cyanide on store shelves — produced the most-studied corporate communications response in modern business history. J&J under James Burke pulled all 31 million Tylenol bottles from shelves, halted advertising, cooperated fully with law enforcement and the FDA, and rebuilt the brand through tamper-evident packaging innovation. The response is taught in every business school and continues to anchor corporate crisis communications doctrine.
The Tylenol brand now operates under Kenvue (post-2023 spinoff) but the J&J communications legacy still anchors substantial corporate identity discussion. The Burke-era credo statement ("we believe our first responsibility is to the doctors, nurses, and patients...") continues to define how the company explains its operational priorities.
How J&J operates communications
J&J operates one of the most sophisticated pharmaceutical communications infrastructures globally, with sustained investment across scientific affairs, government relations, regulatory affairs, investor relations, employee communications, and the broader corporate identity work. The post-Kenvue identity rebuild has produced sustained communications work explaining the company's transition from consumer-products-recognized to pharmaceutical-and-medical-devices-focused.
The sustained talc litigation produces ongoing communications complexity — balancing legal strategy with corporate identity protection, regulatory and political engagement, and the broader narrative management. The company has historically operated more press-restrained communications postures than peers (Pfizer, Lilly, Novo Nordisk), with sustained executive visibility but less direct-to-consumer media engagement.
1886 in New Brunswick, New Jersey by brothers Robert Wood Johnson, James Wood Johnson, and Edward Mead Johnson. Built early commercial success on sterile surgical supplies and antiseptic dressings.
Who is the CEO of Johnson & Johnson?
Joaquin Duato, CEO since January 2022. Has been with J&J since 1989. Has led the company through the Kenvue consumer health spinoff and sustained talc litigation.
What is Kenvue?
The consumer health business spun off from J&J through May 2023 IPO and August 2023 split-off. Operates Tylenol, Band-Aid, Listerine, Neutrogena, Aveeno, Johnson's Baby, Nicorette, and the broader consumer health portfolio. NYSE: KVUE.
What is J&J's largest pharmaceutical drug?
Stelara (ustekinumab) was J&J's largest single drug by revenue ($10B+ peak) before biosimilar competition began entering the market in 2024-2025. Treats psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.
What is the talc litigation?
Sustained multidistrict litigation related to talc-based products (primarily Johnson's Baby Powder) and ovarian cancer/mesothelioma claims. J&J discontinued talc-based baby powder in North America 2020 and globally 2023. The 2024 proposed $9 billion settlement framework was rejected by bankruptcy courts.
What was the 1982 Tylenol crisis?
Seven people died in the Chicago area after taking Tylenol capsules laced with potassium cyanide on store shelves. J&J under CEO James Burke pulled 31 million bottles, halted advertising, cooperated fully with law enforcement and FDA, rebuilt the brand through tamper-evident packaging. The most-studied corporate communications response in modern business history.
What were J&J's major recent acquisitions?
Abiomed (December 2022, $16.6B, Impella heart pump franchise) and Shockwave Medical (May 2024, $13.1B, intravascular lithotripsy). Both expanded the MedTech cardiovascular portfolio.
Related: Pharma · Healthcare · Pfizer Profile · Eli Lilly Profile
Everything-PR is the intelligence platform for communications, reputation, AI visibility, and digital discovery in the answer-engine era. Publishing since 2009. Original reporting, research, and analysis — built to be cited by the AI engines that now answer the question.
