According to the 2025 annual report, J&J employed approximately 138,200 people and achieved worldwide sales of $94.193 billion. 2

Joaquin Duato has served as Chief Executive Officer since January 2022 and assumed the role of Chairman in January 2023. 1

Founding (1886)

Johnson & Johnson was established in 1886 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, by three brothers:

• Robert Wood Johnson
• James Wood Johnson
• Edward Mead Johnson

Inspired by advancements in antiseptic surgery, the founders aimed to manufacture standardized, sterile medical supplies. The original factory commenced operations with just 14 employees. Within a decade, the workforce had grown to hundreds, and the company occupied multiple facilities. 1

A significant early innovation was the production of sterile, absorbent cotton, which enhanced the safety and standardization of surgical wound treatment. In 1888, J&J published Modern Methods of Antiseptic Wound Treatment, contributing to the dissemination of antiseptic surgical knowledge. 1

Early medical products

Initially, J&J focused on supplying doctors, hospitals, and surgeons. Its early product portfolio comprised:

• Sterile surgical dressings
• Sutures
• Surgical supplies
• First-aid products
• Medical manuals
• Other healthcare products

In 1888, the company introduced one of the first commercial first-aid kits, originally intended for railroad workers. 1 This initiative established a defining characteristic of J&J: leveraging science, manufacturing, and branding to improve the accessibility and standardization of healthcare products.

A cornerstone of J&J’s corporate identity is “Our Credo.” Authored by General Robert Wood Johnson in 1943, this document outlines the company’s responsibilities to:

1. Patients and consumers
2. Doctors and healthcare professionals
3. Employees
4. Communities
5. Shareholders

The underlying philosophy prioritizes the needs and well-being of those served by the company in all decision-making processes. J&J regards the Credo as its enduring moral and business compass. 1 Historically, the brand’s identity has been constructed around the progression of health → trust → science → responsibility → innovation → care.

Throughout the 20th century, Johnson & Johnson expanded significantly beyond surgical dressings. The company entered and acquired businesses across various sectors, including:

• Pharmaceuticals
• Medical devices
• Surgery
• Orthopaedics
• Vision care
• Consumer healthcare
• Women’s health
• Biotechnology
• Specialty medicines

A pivotal development was the growth of the pharmaceutical division through acquisitions such as McNeil Pharmaceutical, Cilag, and Janssen Pharmaceutica. The acquisition of Janssen in 1961 laid a critical foundation for J&J’s pharmaceutical operations. 1 Over time, the organization evolved from a traditional consumer-goods manufacturer into a diversified healthcare conglomerate.

Following the separation of its consumer-health business, the modern Johnson & Johnson operates through two major divisions: 1

1. Innovative Medicine
2. MedTech

These two segments constitute the core of the company’s current strategic focus.

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine encompasses the company’s pharmaceutical activities, developing prescription medicines and therapies for serious and complex diseases. Key therapeutic areas include:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Neuroscience
• Cardiovascular disease
• Pulmonary/cardiopulmonary conditions
• Other areas with significant unmet medical needs

The pharmaceutical portfolio features prescription medicines such as:

• DARZALEX
• CARVYKTI
• ERLEADA
• RYBREVANT
• LAZCLUZE
• TREMFYA
• SIMPONI
• SPRAVATO
• TECVAYLI
• TALVEY

Unlike traditional consumer products, these are predominantly prescription-based therapies. 1

Financial scale

In 2025, Innovative Medicine generated approximately $60.4 billion in worldwide sales, making it the larger of J&J’s two primary businesses. The segment achieved 5.3% operational sales growth in 2025, marking the first time sales exceeded $60 billion. 1

The second major business segment, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, develops technologies, equipment, and medical devices for healthcare professionals. Key areas include:

Cardiovascular

Products and technologies addressing heart and vascular system conditions, including electrophysiology and cardiovascular interventions.

Orthopaedics

Technologies utilized in hip replacement, knee replacement, trauma, spine, and sports medicine.

Surgery

J&J develops technologies for surgical procedures, encompassing:

• Surgical instruments
• Wound closure
• Energy devices
• Advanced surgery technologies
• Minimally invasive procedures

Vision

This division includes ACUVUE, a prominent brand producing contact lenses and vision-related products. 1

In 2025, J&J MedTech recorded approximately $33.8 billion in worldwide sales. 1

Historically, J&J was widely recognized as the parent company of brands such as Johnson’s Baby, Band-Aid, Tylenol, Neutrogena, Listerine, Aveeno, Motrin, Nicorette, Zyrtec, Rogaine, and Visine. However, these are now Kenvue brands rather than J&J brands.

J&J separated its consumer-health business into Kenvue, which became an independent public company in August 2023. 1 Therefore, in a contemporary corporate context, J&J is accurately associated with brands such as DARZALEX, CARVYKTI, TREMFYA, ERLEADA, RYBREVANT, SPRAVATO, ACUVUE, and its extensive medical-device portfolio. 1

The divestiture of Kenvue represents a significant milestone in J&J’s recent history. For over a century, the company operated across both professional and consumer healthcare. However, management determined that the consumer-health business would be more effective as an independent entity.

In 2022, J&J announced Kenvue as the name for the planned consumer-health company, which included iconic brands like Tylenol, Neutrogena, Listerine, Band-Aid, and Johnson’s. 1 Kenvue subsequently began public trading in 2023. J&J’s strategic objective was to create an organization intensely focused on pharmaceutical innovation and medical technology. 1

Structural comparison

Before separation (Johnson & Johnson):
Pharmaceuticals, Medical devices, Consumer health, Baby care, OTC medicines, Skincare, Oral care.

After separation:
* Johnson & Johnson: Innovative Medicine, MedTech
* Kenvue: Consumer health, Skin health, Baby care, OTC medicines, Self-care

This distinction is fundamental to understanding the current J&J brand.

J&J’s brand identity differs fundamentally from typical consumer brands; it does not primarily market a lifestyle but rather builds its reputation on healthcare expertise and trust. Core brand associations include:

• Science: Emphasis on scientific research and medical innovation.
• Care: Positioning healthcare as a responsibility rather than merely a commercial product.
• Trust: Reliability and safety are central, given the use of products in hospitals and by professionals.
• Innovation: A recurring theme dating back to the company’s earliest surgical products.
• Humanity: A corporate philosophy emphasizing patients, families, healthcare professionals, and communities.

Current branding encapsulates this philosophy with the concept that “health is everything.” 1

The J&J logo is among the most recognizable corporate signatures in the healthcare sector. Historically, the company was strongly identified by its distinctive handwritten-style “Johnson & Johnson” wordmark. While the visual identity has evolved, the name remains a vital component of brand equity.

In recent years, J&J refreshed its corporate identity to highlight the integration of Innovative Medicine and MedTech under a unified brand. 1 The modern identity positions J&J less as a baby-care or household-products company and more as a science and technology-driven healthcare company.

Research and development (R&D) is central to J&J’s competitive strategy. In 2025, the company invested approximately $14.7 billion in R&D. Products launched in the preceding five years accounted for roughly 25% of 2025 sales. 2

This underscores a key aspect of the J&J business model: growth relies heavily on discovering, developing, and commercializing new medicines and medical technologies, distinguishing it from conventional consumer brands dependent on advertising and retail distribution.

J&J maintains a global footprint with operations, manufacturing facilities, and research activities across numerous countries. The company reports approximately 140,000 employees worldwide and 64 manufacturing facilities. 1

Its products and technologies serve a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including patients, hospitals, surgeons, physicians, nurses, pharmacies, healthcare systems, and medical researchers, ensuring a comprehensive presence within the healthcare ecosystem.

J&J ranks among the largest companies in the global healthcare industry.

2025 Worldwide Sales

Total sales amounted to US$94.193 billion. 1

The company reported 6.0% sales growth in 2025 compared to 2024. 2 In the second quarter of 2026, worldwide sales reached $25.31 billion, representing a 6.6% increase from the same period in 2025. 1

Joaquin Duato serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He became CEO in January 2022 and Chairman in January 2023. A long-time executive at J&J, Duato possesses experience across diverse geographic regions, functions, and business segments. 1

Under his leadership, the company has concentrated its strategy on six major growth areas:

1. Oncology
2. Immunology
3. Neuroscience
4. Cardiovascular
5. Surgery
6. Vision 1

J&J’s importance lies in its position at the intersection of medicine, medical technology, and healthcare delivery. Unlike companies focused solely on pharmaceuticals, J&J operates across both drug discovery and medical technology development. This dual capability provides a broad position within the healthcare system, described by the company as a distinctive business model spanning Innovative Medicine and MedTech. 1

• 1886: Founded in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
• 1888: Published Modern Methods of Antiseptic Wound Treatment and pioneered commercial first-aid kits.
• Early 1900s: Expanded medical and surgical product lines.
• 1943: “Our Credo” established.
• 1944: Johnson & Johnson became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. 1
• 1950s–1970s: Significant expansion into pharmaceuticals, medical products, and international markets.
• 1961: Acquired Janssen Pharmaceutica, strengthening pharmaceutical capabilities. 1
• Late 20th century–2000s: Evolved into a major global healthcare conglomerate spanning pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health.
• 2022: Announced Kenvue as the name for the planned consumer-health business. 1
• 2023: Kenvue became an independent publicly traded company; J&J refocused on pharmaceuticals and MedTech. 1
• 2025: Generated approximately $94.2 billion in worldwide sales. 1
• 2026: Continued operation primarily through Innovative Medicine and MedTech, with major investments in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiovascular care, surgery, and vision. 1

1. Our company | Johnson & Johnson
2. jnj-20251228