J&J Strikes Drug Pricing Deal With Trump, Gets Tariff Reprieve

Core Insights - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has signed a significant agreement with the Trump administration to lower drug prices in the U.S. [1] - JNJ is part of a broader trend among large-cap pharmaceutical companies committing to similar agreements to reduce drug prices [2] Agreement Details - Under the agreement, JNJ will reduce prescription drug prices to align with those in comparable developed countries, supporting the Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing proposal [3] - JNJ will benefit from a limited-period exemption from import tariffs on pharmaceutical ingredients, contingent upon expanding its domestic manufacturing operations [4] Financial and Operational Impact - JNJ's shares have increased by 30.6% over the past six months, outperforming the industry growth of 20.4% [5] - The company is advancing a $55 billion plan to enhance U.S. manufacturing, research, and technology capabilities by early 2029 [6][7] - JNJ is constructing new facilities in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, including a $2 billion biologics plant expected to create approximately 5,000 jobs [8] Industry Trends - Other large-cap pharmaceutical companies are also investing significantly in U.S.-based manufacturing and R&D, with AstraZeneca committing $50 billion by 2030 and AbbVie planning over $10 billion by 2035 [9][10][13] - Lilly has announced a $27 billion investment to develop new manufacturing sites, enhancing production capacity for its marketed drugs [14]