Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) and Intra-Cellular Therapies,
Inc. (Nasdaq: ITCI) announced today that they have entered into a
definitive agreement under which Johnson & Johnson will acquire
all outstanding shares of Intra-Cellular Therapies, a
biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and
commercialization of therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS)
disorders, for $132.00 per share in cash for a total equity value
of approximately $14.6 billion.
“Building on our nearly 70-year legacy in neuroscience, this
unique opportunity to add Intra-Cellular Therapies to our
Innovative Medicine business demonstrates our commitment to
transforming care and advancing research in some of today’s most
devastating neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders,” said
Joaquin Duato, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Johnson &
Johnson. “This acquisition further differentiates our portfolio,
serves as a strategic near- and long-term growth catalyst for
Johnson & Johnson and offers compelling value to patients,
health systems and shareholders.”
With this agreement, Johnson & Johnson adds Intra-Cellular
Therapies’ CAPLYTA® (lumateperone), a once-daily oral therapy
approved to treat adults with schizophrenia, as well as depressive
episodes associated with bipolar I or II disorder (bipolar
depression), as a monotherapy and adjunctive therapy with lithium
or valproate. The acquisition also includes ITI-1284, a promising
Phase 2 compound being studied in generalized anxiety disorder
(GAD) and Alzheimer’s disease-related psychosis and agitation, as
well as a clinical-stage pipeline that further complements and
strengthens Johnson & Johnson’s current areas of focus.
“We are excited to welcome Intra-Cellular Therapies’ talented
people and world-class expertise to Johnson & Johnson,” said
Jennifer Taubert, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Chairman,
Innovative Medicine, Johnson & Johnson. “Together, we have an
opportunity to impact even more patients living with
neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, significantly
advancing care and helping improve the lives of millions
worldwide.”
“CAPLYTA®’s success and the robust pipeline we have built
demonstrates the passion and dedication of our talented team, and
we are proud of the hundreds of thousands of patients we have
helped,” said Dr. Sharon Mates, Chairman and CEO of Intra-Cellular
Therapies. “Johnson & Johnson has a longstanding commitment to
neuroscience, and we believe together, we can reach even more
patients around the world.”
In December 2024, Intra-Cellular Therapies announced the
submission of a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) to the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for CAPLYTA® as an
adjunctive treatment for adults with major depressive disorder
(MDD). In two global, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3
studies, CAPLYTA®, as an adjunctive treatment to antidepressants,
demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful
improvement in depressive symptoms, as measured by both
clinician-rated and patient-reported outcomes. The safety profile
of CAPLYTA® in both studies was consistent with the existing body
of clinical data for CAPLYTA®, and no new safety concerns were
identified. If approved, CAPLYTA® has the potential to be the first
treatment approved for MDD and depressive symptoms associated with
bipolar I and II in more than 15 years. Additional Phase 3 trials
are underway with CAPLYTA® in bipolar I disorder with manic
episodes or manic episodes with mixed features (bipolar mania).
Positive topline results evaluating the efficacy and safety of
CAPLYTA® for the prevention of relapse in adult patients with
schizophrenia were shared in November 2024.
While its exact mechanism of action is unknown, CAPLYTA® is
uniquely characterized by high serotonin 5-HT2A receptor
occupancy and lower amounts of dopamine D2 receptor occupancy at
therapeutic doses. In short-term clinical studies across all three
approved indications, CAPLYTA® was similar to placebo in weight
change, metabolic effects, and extrapyramidal symptoms, which are
often cited as reasons for treatment discontinuation. The most
common reported adverse events were somnolence/sedation, dizziness,
nausea, and dry mouth. Across all three approved indications,
CAPLYTA® can be taken at any time of day with or without food and
does not require titration, allowing adult patients to start
treatment at the effective dose.
“CAPLYTA® has robust efficacy, proven safety and favorable
tolerability across all three approved indications, without the
need for dose titration frequently associated with this class of
therapies,” said John Reed, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President,
R&D, Innovative Medicine, Johnson & Johnson. “With positive
Phase 3 data in MDD as an adjunctive therapy and additional Phase 3
trials in other mental health disorders underway, we believe
CAPLYTA® has the potential to become a new standard of care for the
treatment of some of today’s most prevalent and debilitating mental
health disorders.”
As the mental health crisis surges and the global population
ages, more than one billion people worldwide – or 1 in every 8
people – are living with a neuropsychiatric or neurodegenerative
disorder. In the United States:
- About 2.4 million adults live with schizophrenia, a serious,
chronic mental illness that causes distortions in thinking,
perceptions, emotions, and behavior;ii,iii,iv
- Approximately 6.1 million adults live with bipolar disorder, a
chronic, lifelong illness that causes dramatic shifts in a person’s
mood, energy, and ability to think clearly, making it difficult for
patients to carry out daily activities;v,vi
- An estimated 21 million adults live with MDD, one of the most
common psychiatric disorders and a leading cause of
disability;vii
- About 6.8 million adults live with GAD, a mental and behavioral
disorder that causes excessive and uncontrollable worry and fear;v
and,
- Approximately 6 million adults live with Alzheimer’s disease, a
neurodegenerative brain disorder that causes progressive memory
loss and a decline in cognitive abilities severe enough to
significantly interfere with daily life.viii
Transaction Details and Path to CompletionUnder
the terms of the agreement, Johnson & Johnson will acquire all
outstanding shares of Intra-Cellular Therapies for a payment of
$132.00 per share in cash. Johnson & Johnson expects to fund
the transaction through a combination of cash on hand and debt.
Johnson & Johnson expects to maintain a strong balance sheet
and to continue to support its stated capital allocation priorities
of R&D investment, competitive dividends, value-creating
acquisitions, and strategic share repurchases.
The closing of the transaction is expected to occur later this
year subject to applicable regulatory approvals, approval by
Intra-Cellular Therapies’ stockholders and other customary closing
conditions for a transaction of this type. Following completion of
the transaction, Intra-Cellular Therapies’ common stock will no
longer be listed for trading on the Nasdaq Global Select
Market.
Johnson & Johnson will provide commentary on any potential
impact to Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS) from the transaction
when it provides its initial full year 2025 guidance during the
fourth quarter earnings call on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
AdvisorsCiti is serving as financial advisor
to Johnson & Johnson, and Cravath, Swaine & Moore
is serving as legal advisor.Centerview Partners LLC and Jefferies
are serving as financial advisors to Intra-Cellular Therapies, and
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is serving as legal advisor.
IndicationCAPLYTA® (lumateperone) is indicated
in adults for the treatment of schizophrenia and for the treatment
of depressive episodes associated with bipolar I or II disorder
(bipolar depression) as monotherapy and as adjunctive therapy with
lithium or valproate.
Important Safety InformationBoxed
Warnings:
- Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis
treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death.
CAPLYTA® is not approved for the treatment of
patients with dementia-related psychosis.
- Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts
and behaviors in pediatric and young adults in short-term studies.
All antidepressant-treated patients should be closely monitored for
clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and
behaviors. The safety and effectiveness of CAPLYTA®
have not been established in pediatric
patients.
Contraindications: CAPLYTA® is
contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to
lumateperone or any components of CAPLYTA®. Reactions have included
pruritus, rash (e.g., allergic dermatitis, papular rash, and
generalized rash), and urticaria.
Warnings & Precautions: Antipsychotic
drugs have been reported to cause:
- Cerebrovascular Adverse Reactions in Elderly Patients
with Dementia-Related Psychosis, including stroke and
transient ischemic attack. See Boxed Warning above.
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), which is
a potentially fatal reaction. Signs and symptoms include: high
fever, stiff muscles, confusion, changes in breathing, heart rate,
and blood pressure, elevated creatinine phosphokinase,
myoglobinuria (and/or rhabdomyolysis), and acute renal failure.
Patients who experience signs and symptoms of NMS should
immediately contact their doctor or go to the emergency room.
- Tardive Dyskinesia, a syndrome of uncontrolled
body movements in the face, tongue, or other body parts, which may
increase with duration of treatment and total cumulative dose. TD
may not go away, even if CAPLYTA® is discontinued. It can also
occur after CAPLYTA® is discontinued.
- Metabolic Changes, including hyperglycemia,
diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and weight gain. Hyperglycemia, in
some cases extreme and associated with ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar
coma or death, has been reported in patients treated with
antipsychotics. Measure weight and assess fasting plasma glucose
and lipids when initiating CAPLYTA® and monitor periodically during
long-term treatment.
- Leukopenia, Neutropenia, and Agranulocytosis (including
fatal cases). Complete blood counts should be performed in
patients with pre-existing low white blood cell count (WBC) or
history of leukopenia or neutropenia. CAPLYTA® should be
discontinued if clinically significant decline in WBC occurs in
absence of other causative factors.
- Decreased Blood Pressure & Dizziness.
Patients may feel lightheaded, dizzy, or faint when they rise too
quickly from a sitting or lying position (orthostatic hypotension).
Heart rate and blood pressure should be monitored and patients
should be warned with known cardiovascular or cerebrovascular
disease. Orthostatic vital signs should be monitored in patients
who are vulnerable to hypotension.
- Falls. CAPLYTA® may cause sleepiness or
dizziness and can slow thinking and motor skills, which may lead to
falls and, consequently, fractures and other injuries. Patients
should be assessed for risk when using CAPLYTA®.
- Seizures. CAPLYTA® should be used cautiously
in patients with a history of seizures or with conditions that
lower seizure threshold.
- Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment.
Patients should use caution when operating machinery or motor
vehicles until they know how CAPLYTA® affects them.
- Body Temperature Dysregulation. CAPLYTA®
should be used with caution in patients who may experience
conditions that may increase core body temperature such as
strenuous exercise, extreme heat, dehydration, or concomitant
anticholinergics.
- Dysphagia. CAPLYTA® should be used with
caution in patients at risk for aspiration.
Drug Interactions: CAPLYTA® should not be
used with CYP3A4 inducers. Dose reduction is recommended for
concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or moderate CYP3A4
inhibitors.
Special Populations: Newborn infants
exposed to antipsychotic drugs during the third trimester of
pregnancy are at risk for extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms
following delivery. Dose reduction is recommended for patients with
moderate or severe hepatic impairment.
Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse
reactions in clinical trials with CAPLYTA® vs. placebo were
somnolence/sedation, dizziness, nausea, and dry mouth.
CAPLYTA® is available in 10.5 mg, 21 mg, and 42 mg capsules.
Please click here to see full Prescribing Information
including Boxed Warning.
About Johnson & JohnsonAt 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
www.jnj.com/.
About Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.
Intra-Cellular Therapies is a biopharmaceutical company founded
on Nobel Prize-winning research that allows us to
understand how therapies affect the inner workings of cells in the
body. The company leverages this intracellular approach to develop
innovative treatments for people living with complex psychiatric
and neurologic diseases. For more information, please
visit www.intracellulartherapies.com.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND ITThis
press release may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect
of the proposed acquisition of Intra-Cellular Therapies by Johnson
& Johnson. In connection with the proposed transaction,
Intra-Cellular Therapies intends to file relevant materials with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including
Intra-Cellular Therapies’ proxy statement in preliminary and
definitive form.
INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF INTRA-CELLULAR THERAPIES ARE URGED
TO READ ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, INCLUDING
INTRA-CELLULAR THERAPIES’ PROXY STATEMENT (WHEN THEY ARE
AVAILABLE), BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND THE PARTIES TO THE
PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
Investors and stockholders of Intra-Cellular Therapies are or
will be able to obtain these materials (when they are available)
free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or free of
charge from Intra-Cellular Therapies’ website at
www.intracellulartherapies.com.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATIONJohnson &
Johnson and Intra-Cellular Therapies and certain of their
respective directors and executive officers, under SEC rules, may
be deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies from
stockholders of Intra-Cellular Therapies in connection with the
proposed transaction. Information about Johnson & Johnson’s
directors and executive officers is available in Johnson &
Johnson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on February 16, 2024, and
Johnson & Johnson’s definitive proxy statement for its 2024
annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on
March 13, 2024. Information about Intra-Cellular Therapies’
directors and executive officers is available in Intra-Cellular
Therapies’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024, and
Intra-Cellular Therapies’ definitive proxy statement for its 2024
annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on
April 29, 2024. To the extent holdings of Johnson & Johnson’s
or Intra-Cellular Therapies’ securities by their respective
directors or executive officers have changed since the amounts set
forth in such 2024 proxy statements, such changes have been or will
be reflected on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form
3 or Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the
SEC, including the Form 3 filed by Sanjeev Narula on August 14,
2024 and the Form 4s filed by: Sharon Mates on August 23, 2024,
August 28, 2024, August 30, 2024 and December 6, 2024; Joel S.
Marcus on June 18, 2024 and June 25, 2024; Rory B. Riggs on June
18, 2024, June 25, 2024, July 2, 2024, October 2, 2024, October 15,
2024 and January 3, 2025; Eduardo Rene Salas on June 18, 2024 and
June 25, 2024; Robert L. Van Nostrand on June 18, 2024, June 21,
2024, June 25, 2024 and July 2, 2024; Michael Halstead on November
14, 2024; Mark Neumann on August 20, 2024; and Sanjeev Narula on
August 14, 2024. Investors and stockholders of Intra-Cellular
Therapies are or will be able to obtain these documents free of
charge from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, from Johnson &
Johnson on Johnson & Johnson’s website at www.jnj.com, from
Intra-Cellular Therapies on Intra-Cellular Therapies’ website at
www.intracellulartherapies.com or on request from Johnson &
Johnson or Intra-Cellular Therapies. Additional information
concerning the interests of Intra-Cellular Therapies’ participants
in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than
those of Intra-Cellular Therapies’ stockholders generally, will be
set forth in Intra-Cellular Therapies’ proxy statement relating to
the proposed transaction when it becomes available.
CAUTIONS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS:
- This press release contains “forward-looking statements”
regarding the acquisition of Intra-Cellular Therapies by Johnson
& Johnson and Intra-Cellular Therapies’ product CAPLYTA® and
development programs.
- The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking
statements. These statements are based on current expectations of
future events.
- If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown
risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary
materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson &
Johnson or Intra-Cellular Therapies.
- Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the
risk that the closing conditions for the acquisition will not be
satisfied, including the risk that clearance under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act will not be obtained;
uncertainty as to the percentage of Intra-Cellular Therapies
stockholders that will vote to approve the proposed transaction at
the Intra-Cellular Therapies stockholder meeting; the possibility
that the transaction will not be completed in the expected
timeframe or at all; potential adverse effects to the businesses of
Johnson & Johnson or Intra-Cellular Therapies during the
pendency of the transaction, such as employee departures or
distraction of management from business operations; the risk of
stockholder litigation relating to the transaction, including
resulting expense or delay; the potential that the expected
benefits and opportunities of the acquisition, if completed, may
not be realized or may take longer to realize than expected;
challenges inherent in product research and development, including
uncertainty of clinical success and obtaining regulatory approvals;
uncertainty of commercial success for new products; manufacturing
difficulties and delays; product efficacy or safety concerns
resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; economic
conditions, including currency exchange and interest rate
fluctuations; the risks associated with global operations;
competition, including technological advances, new products and
patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; changes to
applicable laws and regulations, including tax laws and global
health care reforms; adverse litigation or government action;
changes in behavior and spending patterns or financial distress of
purchasers of health care services and products; and trends toward
health care cost containment.
- In addition, there will be risks and uncertainties related to
the ability of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies to
successfully integrate the programs, products, technologies and
employees/operations and clinical work of Intra-Cellular Therapies.
A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and
other factors and the general risks associated with the respective
businesses of Johnson & Johnson and Intra-Cellular Therapies
can be found in Johnson & Johnson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on
February 16, 2024, including in the sections captioned “Cautionary
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk
Factors,” and in Johnson & Johnson’s most recently filed
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Johnson & Johnson’s
subsequent filings with the SEC and in Intra-Cellular Therapies’
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2023, filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024, including in the
sections captioned “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and in Intra-Cellular
Therapies’ most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and
Intra-Cellular Therapies’ subsequent filings with the SEC. Copies
of these filings, as well as subsequent filings, are available
online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com, www.intracellulartherapies.com,
or on request from Johnson & Johnson or Intra-Cellular
Therapies.
- Neither Johnson & Johnson nor Intra-Cellular Therapies
undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of
new information or future events or developments, except as
required by law.
ContactsJohnson &
Johnson
Media Contact:Michele
Loguidicemedia-relations@its.jnj.com
Investor Contact:Lauren
Johnsoninvestor-relations@its.jnj.com
Intra-Cellular Therapies
Media Contact:Erin
Weinsteineweinstein@skdknick.com
Investor Contact:Juan Sanchez,
M.D.jsanchez@itci-inc.com
FootnotesiNon risk adjusted peak year sales
including partner salesiiWorld Health Organization. Schizophrenia.
Accessed December 2024.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophreniaiii
Regier DA, Farmer ME, Rae DS, et al. One–month prevalence of mental
disorders in the United States and sociodemographic
characteristics: the epidemiologic catchment area study. Acta
Psychiatr Scand. (1993);88(1):35-47.
doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.1993.tb03411.iv US Census Bureau. 2010 US
Census. Accessed December 23, 2024.
https://www.census.gov/topics/population/data.htmlv Harvard Medical
School, 2007. National Comorbidity Survey (NSC). (2017, August 21).
Retrieved from https://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/index.php. Data
Table 2: 12-month prevalence DSM-IV/WMH-CIDI disorders by sex and
cohort. vi Mayo Clinic. Bipolar disorder. Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955.
Published August 14, 2024. Accessed December 23, 2024. vii
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Key
Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States:
Results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Published December 2022. Accessed December 23, 2024.
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt39443/2021NSDUHFFRRev010323.pdfviii
2024 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures. Alzheimer’s Dement.
2024;20(5):3708-3821. doi:10.1002/alz.13809.
i Non risk adjusted peak year sales including partner sales
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