J&J to emphasize cancer drugs and stop much of its vaccine research

Eight months into his tenure, Johnson & Johnson’s R&D chief is putting a big emphasis on medicines for cancer, treatment-resistant depression, and autoimmune disease.

To sharpen that focus, R&D chief John Reed told STAT that the company is de-emphasizing two areas that have been mainstays for the drug and medical device giant: infectious disease and vaccines, as well as medicines targeting kidney disease and rare eye conditions.

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The disclosures were made in an interview ahead of an investor meeting Reed is leading Tuesday aimed at generating excitement about the company’s research and development efforts.

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