Johnson & Johnson Strengthens Oncology Leadership With $3.05 Billion Acquisition of Halda Therapeutics and Its Next-Generation RIPTAC™ Platform
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Halda Therapeutics OpCo, Inc. (Halda), a rapidly advancing clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering a novel class of precision therapeutics. Halda’s proprietary Regulated Induced Proximity TArgeting Chimera (RIPTAC™) platform is designed to create oral, targeted treatments for a range of solid tumors, including prostate cancer—one of the world’s most prevalent and deadly malignancies. The all-cash transaction, valued at $3.05 billion, is expected to close in the coming months pending antitrust clearance and other customary regulatory approvals.
The acquisition positions Johnson & Johnson to accelerate innovation in precision oncology by integrating a differentiated platform technology capable of tackling treatment-resistant cancers, expanding the company’s strategic footprint in a critical therapeutic area, and opening pathways to future applications beyond oncology.
A Transformative Technology for Treatment-Resistant Tumors
At the center of this acquisition is Halda’s flagship technology, the RIPTAC™ platform, a first-of-its-kind approach designed to selectively kill cancer cells by exploiting induced molecular proximity. This mechanism represents a step-change in cancer therapy, especially for tumors that develop resistance to existing treatments.
Traditional cancer drugs often lose their effectiveness over time as tumor cells adapt and evolve genetic or epigenetic mechanisms that help them evade standard therapies. Halda’s RIPTAC™ molecules take a fundamentally different approach. Instead of inhibiting a single cancer-driving protein or pathway, RIPTAC™ therapeutics co-opt two intracellular proteins: one that is expressed specifically or predominantly in cancer cells, and another that is essential for cellular function. By driving the regulated proximity of these targets within cancer cells, RIPTAC™ molecules create a cell-selective mechanism of action that ultimately triggers tumor cell death.
This design allows the therapy to maintain its impact even when traditional pathways of cancer resistance emerge. As a result, Halda’s technology holds significant promise for patients with tumors that have stopped responding to conventional modalities, including hormone therapies, targeted inhibitors, immunotherapies, or chemotherapies.
Lead Candidate HLD-0915: A New Frontier in Prostate Cancer Treatment
The most advanced program within Halda’s pipeline is HLD-0915, an oral, once-daily therapeutic currently in Phase 1/2 clinical development for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer remains one of the most significant global health challenges, with new cases projected to rise to 1.7 million annually by 2030. Despite the availability of several treatment options, patients with advanced or metastatic disease face limited choices once tumors become resistant to androgen deprivation therapies or next-generation hormonal agents.
HLD-0915 is designed to directly address this gap. Early clinical data have shown what Johnson & Johnson describes as “impressive preliminary efficacy,” accompanied by a strong emerging safety profile. The therapy’s novel cell-killing mechanism, combined with the convenience of an oral regimen, positions it as a potentially transformative option for patients whose cancers no longer respond to existing standards of care.
In addition to prostate cancer, Halda has assembled a diversified preclinical pipeline targeting breast cancer, lung cancer, and several other solid tumor types. Early research suggests that RIPTAC™ molecules can be engineered to target a wide range of tumor-specific proteins, creating a scalable platform with broad oncology applications. Johnson & Johnson also sees potential for applying the technology outside of cancer, underscoring the platform’s long-term strategic value.
Leadership Commentary: A Long-Term Growth Catalyst for Johnson & Johnson
Jennifer Taubert, Executive Vice President and Worldwide Chairman of Innovative Medicine at Johnson & Johnson, emphasized the acquisition’s role in strengthening the company’s oncology pipeline:
“This acquisition further strengthens our deep oncology pipeline with an exciting lead asset in prostate cancer and a platform capable of treating multiple cancers and diseases beyond oncology, providing a potential mid- and long-term catalyst for growth. We look forward to combining Halda’s pipeline, platform and people with our world-class R&D, commercial and manufacturing capabilities and advancing our goal of bringing these therapies to patients around the world.”
Her remarks underscore the strategic alignment between Halda’s innovative science and Johnson & Johnson’s long-standing commitment to advancing breakthrough oncology solutions. The company has made cancer treatment one of its highest priorities, with major investments in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), cell therapies, targeted small molecules, and immuno-oncology products. The acquisition of Halda solidifies Johnson & Johnson’s pursuit of technologies that can deliver precision, durability, and scalability.
John C. Reed, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Innovative Medicine, R&D at Johnson & Johnson, highlighted the scientific significance of Halda’s approach:
Many therapies lose effectiveness over time due to resistance. Halda’s innovative technology is designed to work even when cancers no longer respond to standard treatments using a novel mechanism that enables the selective killing of cancer cells. Results seen with HLD-0915 demonstrate impressive preliminary efficacy and a strong early safety profile in prostate cancer. We are eager to accelerate the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of HLD-0915 and progress a pipeline of novel product candidates based on RIPTAC™ technology.”
Reed’s comments reflect Johnson & Johnson’s confidence that the acquisition will not only strengthen its existing oncology portfolio but also unlock a new therapeutic paradigm capable of addressing some of the most difficult-to-treat cancers.
Expanding an Industry-Leading Oncology Portfolio
Johnson & Johnson has steadily built one of the industry’s most robust oncology portfolios, anchored by major advancements across hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. The company’s treatments have reshaped standards of care in multiple disease areas, particularly in multiple myeloma and lung cancer.
The acquisition of Halda Therapeutics adds:
- A first-in-class precision oncology platform
- A promising clinical-stage asset (HLD-0915) with the potential to become a best-in-class option for prostate cancer
- A pipeline of early-stage candidates that could diversify and expand Johnson & Johnson’s long-term oncology strategy
- A new scientific modality that complements its existing small molecule, antibody, cell therapy, and bispecific platforms
If successful, Halda’s differentiated assets will broaden the therapeutic arsenal available for cancer patients and support Johnson & Johnson’s continued leadership in an intensely competitive field.
Beyond oncology, the modular nature of the RIPTAC™ platform has generated interest in its applicability to other diseases characterized by aberrant protein function or dysregulated cellular pathways. Johnson & Johnson’s global development infrastructure and clinical capabilities may expedite the exploration of these additional opportunities.
Strategic Implications for the Global Cancer Landscape
The rising burden of cancer worldwide, combined with growing resistance to existing therapies, has prompted the biopharmaceutical industry to pursue innovative platforms that can deliver more durable and scalable treatment responses. Halda’s RIPTAC™ technology enters the field at a pivotal moment, with precision oncology moving toward increasingly targeted, customizable therapeutic approaches.
Prostate cancer, the lead focus of Halda’s clinical program, remains a significant unmet need. Many patients cycle through multiple lines of therapy, only to face disease progression as tumors adapt. The introduction of a mechanism designed to circumvent these resistance pathways could represent one of the most meaningful treatment advancements in the last decade.
Moreover, the ability to design oral medicines that selectively kill cancer cells holds major clinical and commercial advantages: improved patient convenience, broader accessibility, and potential for combination strategies with existing treatments. This acquisition thus positions Johnson & Johnson at the forefront of next-generation targeted therapy development.
An Integration Focused on Innovation and Patient Impact
Once the transaction closes, Johnson & Johnson will integrate Halda’s teams and platform into its Innovative Medicine division. The company plans to rapidly advance HLD-0915 through later-stage development while simultaneously accelerating earlier pipeline programs. Researchers will explore additional oncology targets and investigate the full therapeutic potential of the RIPTAC™ platform.
For patients, particularly those living with treatment-resistant prostate cancer, the acquisition offers renewed hope for therapies grounded in cutting-edge science and developed by a company with the resources, experience, and global reach to deliver them at scale.
Johnson & Johnson’s planned $3.05 billion acquisition of Halda Therapeutics marks a major milestone in the evolution of precision oncology. By bringing the RIPTAC™ platform and a promising clinical-stage prostate cancer asset into its portfolio, the company aims to redefine treatment possibilities for solid tumors that have historically been difficult to manage.
The move reflects Johnson & Johnson’s long-term vision: to invest in scientific innovation capable of improving patient outcomes today while shaping the future of cancer therapy. If Halda’s technology fulfills its promise, it could pave the way for a new class of targeted treatments that finally overcome one of oncology’s greatest challenges—drug resistance.
Under the terms of the agreement, Johnson & Johnson will acquire Halda. The transaction will be accounted for as a business combination and is expected to close within the next few months, subject to antitrust clearance and other customary closing conditions. The Company expects dilution in 2026 of $0.15 to Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS) due to short-term financing and a non-recurring charge related to the equity awards for Halda employees upon closing. Johnson & Johnson will provide commentary on full year 2026 guidance during the fourth quarter earnings call on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/ or at www.innovativemedicine.jnj.com. Follow us @JNJInnovMed.
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