Johnson & Johnson acquires Halda Therapeutics for $3.05 billion
Johnson & Johnson has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Halda Therapeutics OpCo, Inc. for US$3.05 billion in cash, securing access to a clinical-stage prostate cancer therapy and a proprietary platform technology designed to develop oral targeted treatments for solid tumours. The transaction is expected to close within the coming months pending antitrust clearance and customary closing conditions.
RIPTAC platform targets treatment-resistant cancers
The acquisition centres on Halda’s Regulated Induced Proximity TArgeting Chimera (RIPTAC™) platform, a novel technology designed to overcome mechanisms of resistance that limit the efficacy of existing cancer treatments. The platform enables selective cancer cell elimination through a precision targeting approach, addressing a critical challenge in oncology where many therapies lose effectiveness as tumours develop resistance over time.
The lead candidate, HLD-0915, is a once-daily oral therapy currently in Phase 1/2 clinical trials for prostate cancer. With global prostate cancer diagnoses projected to reach 1.7 million by 2030, the clinical-stage asset represents a significant addition to Johnson & Johnson’s oncology portfolio, which has focused on prostate cancer for nearly two decades.
“Results seen with HLD-0915 demonstrate impressive preliminary efficacy and a strong early safety profile in prostate cancer,” said John C. Reed, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Innovative Medicine, R&D, Johnson & Johnson. “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.”
Expanded pipeline includes breast and lung cancer candidates
Beyond prostate cancer, the acquisition includes earlier-stage candidates targeting breast, lung and multiple other solid tumour types. The RIPTAC™ platform’s versatility may extend applications beyond oncology, providing potential for mid- and long-term therapeutic development across multiple disease areas.
Jennifer Taubert, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Chairman, Innovative Medicine, Johnson & Johnson, emphasised the strategic value: “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.”
Financial impact and integration timeline
Johnson & Johnson expects the transaction to result in $0.15 dilution to adjusted earnings per share in 2026, attributed to short-term financing and a non-recurring charge related to equity awards for Halda employees upon closing. The company will provide comprehensive 2026 guidance during its fourth quarter earnings call scheduled for Wednesday, 21 January 2026.
The transaction will be accounted for as a business combination and integrates Halda’s pipeline, platform and personnel with Johnson & Johnson’s established research and development, commercial and manufacturing infrastructure. This combination aims to accelerate clinical development programmes and enable global distribution of therapies emerging from the RIPTAC™ platform.
