From CNBC:

Johnson & Johnson joins the New York Stock Exchange, facing a threat from expiring patents on major drugs. This will open the door for cheaper copycats, impacting huge portions of sales for big pharma. Despite the threat, some companies are prepared with drug pipelines and acquisitions to offset potential revenue losses.

The top biopharma companies could see $180 billion in sales at risk from patent expirations between now and 2028, with different products facing various impacts. For example, Merck’s Keytruda is predicted to lose sales, as are Bristol Myers Squibb’s Eliquis and Opdivo. Johnson & Johnson, with its Stelara drug, is also likely to feel the effects.

Patent cliffs can vary depending on the type of drug – small-molecule drugs, like Eliquis, will face competition from cheaper generics, while biologic drugs like Stelara will eventually face biosimilar competitors. Despite the potential threat, the market for biosimilars has historically had difficulty gaining market share compared to branded biologic drugs.

Many companies are taking strategic actions to offset losses from patent cliffs. Merck sees positive future sales from oncology drugs, while Bristol Myers Squibb has acquired new products, such as a psychiatric and neurological drug portfolio, to help with future growth. J&J, with a focus on its medical devices business, has confidence that it will continue healthy growth despite the looming expiration of Stelara’s patents.



Read more: Big pharma Merck, Bristol Myers, J&J prepare to lose revenue