clinical breakthroughs

Recent News and Corporate Developments J&J Buyout Buzz: The biggest news propelling Protagonist’s stock is the report that Johnson & Johnson is in talks to acquire Protagonist reuters.com. On October 10, 2025, The Wall Street Journal broke the story (later confirmed by Reuters) that J&J is negotiating a purchase of Protagonist Therapeutics reuters.com. This potential acquisition would build on the companies’ ongoing partnership: J&J’s Janssen unit has held exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize Protagonist’s peptide drug Icotrokinra (JNJ-2113) since a 2017 collaboration deal reuters.com. In fact, J&J already holds rights to market Icotrokinra and reportedly owns a ~4% stake in Protagonist, reflecting its early