J&J prunes pipeline, boosts guidance

In its 3Q17 earnings announcement, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) said it will withdraw global applications for sirukumab (CNTO 136) to treat rheumatoid arthritis, and will discontinue development of talacotuzumab (JNJ-56022473), which is in a Phase III study to treat acute myelogenous leukemia. In May, J&J had touted both compounds as potential blockbusters at its pharmaceutical business review meeting.

Last month, FDA issued J&J a complete response letter for sirukumab requesting additional safety data. On a conference call Tuesday, VP of Investor Relations Joseph Wolk said the company would continue to study the human IgG1 kappa mAb against IL-6 to treat major depressive disorder, for which it is in Phase II testing (see BioCentury Extra, Sept. 22)...