New Drug, New Direction: J&J Moves Deeper Into Late-Stage Therapeutics

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is one of the best trade‑war resistant stocks to buy now. On July 21, 2025, J&J submitted a New Drug Application to the U.S. FDA for icotrokinra, an oral peptide therapy targeting moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in patients aged 12 and older—signaling a strong late‑stage R&D pipeline with growth potential beyond consumer staples or medtech divisions.

On the analyst front, Guggenheim recently raised its price target from $164 to $167, while holding a Neutral rating in mid‑July 2025. The modest upgrade shows confidence in J&J's strategic balance between innovation and defensive income streams.

Despite being broadly diversified across consumer health, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, J&J is relatively insulated from trade‑war volatility. Its supply chains are diffuse, production is localized in multiple markets, and it sources materials from global partners across regions less exposed to high tariffs. That allows J&J to preserve margin power and delivery continuity across geopolitical shifts.

Johnson & Johnson is a global healthcare conglomerate spanning pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health products. Known for its scale and scientific depth, it operates in over 60 countries.

While we acknowledge the potential of JNJ as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

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Disclosure: None.