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Johnson & Johnson pays $14.6 billion for mental health biopharma company

por Gus Iversen, Editor in Chief | January 17, 2025
Business Affairs
Johnson & Johnson has acquired Intra-Cellular Therapies, a New Jersey-based biopharmaceutical company focused on treatments for central nervous system disorders, in a deal valued at $14.6 billion.

J&J will purchase all outstanding shares of Intra-Cellular Therapies at $132 per share in cash, a move that strengthens its neuroscience portfolio and signals its focus on mental health and neurodegenerative conditions.

Through the acquisition, J&J gains CAPLYTA (lumateperone), an FDA approved oral therapy for schizophrenia and bipolar I and II depression, both as monotherapy and adjunctive treatment. CAPLYTA is also under review by the FDA for use as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), with the potential to address one of the most common and debilitating mental health conditions.

“Building on our nearly 70-year legacy in neuroscience, this acquisition demonstrates our commitment to advancing care for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders,” said Joaquin Duato, J&J's chairman and CEO.

In addition to CAPLYTA, the deal includes ITI-1284, a Phase 2 pipeline candidate being studied for generalized anxiety disorder and Alzheimer’s disease-related psychosis and agitation. J&J also gains access to ongoing clinical trials, including Phase 3 studies investigating CAPLYTA in bipolar mania and schizophrenia relapse prevention.

In December 2024, Intra-Cellular Therapies submitted a supplemental new drug application for CAPLYTA as an adjunctive treatment for MDD. Data from two Phase 3 studies demonstrated significant improvement in depressive symptoms with a safety profile consistent with prior trials. If approved, it would be the first MDD treatment in over 15 years to address depressive symptoms associated with both bipolar I and II disorders.

The acquisition comes as mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and MDD, affect millions of adults in the U.S., with rising demand for effective therapies. Jennifer Taubert, executive vice president and worldwide chairman of J&J's Innovative Medicine segment, highlighted the opportunity to “significantly advance care” through the addition of Intra-Cellular’s therapies and expertise.

The transaction is expected to close later this year, pending regulatory and shareholder approval. Following the acquisition, Intra-Cellular Therapies will no longer trade on the Nasdaq.

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