Johnson & Johnson in Talks to Buy Protagonist Therapeutics: WSJ

Johnson & Johnson is in talks to purchase Protagonist Therapeutics Inc., the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

J&J has an existing partnership with Protagonist to develop therapies for immune conditions. Protagonist also has a partnership with Takeda Pharmaceutical for rusfertide, a drug to treat a rare blood cancer in development. A deal would bolster J&J’s portfolio as its blockbuster immune treatment Stelara faces competition from lower-cost copycats.