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May 20, 2015 at 08:53 AM
(Bloomberg) — Johnson & Johnson plans to seek regulatory approval for more than 10 new drugs by 2019 with potential annual sales of more than $1 billion apiece, reigniting a pharmaceutical unit whose results have dragged amid stiffer competition.
The medications will focus on five areas: immunology; infectious diseases and vaccines; neuroscience; cardiovascular and metabolism; and oncology, the world’s biggest maker of health care products said in a statement. The company holds a meeting with investors Wednesday in New Brunswick, N.J.
The potential blockbusters in the pipeline could help J&J regain some momentum in its biggest division. Analysts estimate J&J’s sales of new drugs — approved in 2009 or after — will climb 8 percent a year through 2020 — about one-third the median rate of its competitors, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.
See also: Merck KGaA earnings miss estimates on cancer drug research
The growth is being dragged down by hepatitis C treatment Olysio, whose sales are declining as better medications enter the market. Remicade, an arthritis treatment that’s J&J’s top-selling product, is under competitive threat from a copycat drug by Celltrion Inc. and Hospira Inc.
