Written By: Pharmacally Medical News Desk
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced a landmark acquisition of Halda Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, in a $3.05 billion cash deal. This strategic move is poised to transform the landscape of cancer treatment, particularly for prostate cancer, by bringing innovative, precision-targeted therapies into J&J’s robust oncology portfolio.
Acquisition Details
The acquisition focuses on Halda’s proprietary Regulated Induced Proximity Targeting Chimera (RIPTAC™) platform, which enables the development of oral, targeted therapies for multiple solid tumors. The lead asset, HLD-0915, is a clinical-stage therapy for prostate cancer that demonstrates a novel mechanism to overcome common resistance pathways seen in advanced disease. This approach could significantly improve outcomes for patients who have consumed standard therapies.
J&J’s acquisition of Halda not only strengthens its position in prostate cancer where it already markets drugs like Erleada, Zytiga, and Akeega but also expands its pipeline with earlier-stage candidates for breast, lung, and other tumor types. The RIPTAC platform’s versatility may also enable the creation of targeted therapies beyond oncology, offering long-term growth potential for J&J.
Halda’s RIPTAC technology is designed to induce cancer cell death by simultaneously binding a tumor-specific protein and a protein essential for cell survival. This “hold and kill” mechanism is intended to overcome resistance that often develops with conventional therapies. Early phase 1/2 data for HLD-0915 in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) showed promising efficacy and a favorable safety profile, with infrequent and generally low-grade treatment-related adverse events.
The ongoing clinical trial has enrolled patients who have progressed on prior therapies, including androgen receptor pathway inhibitors and taxane chemotherapies. Dose expansion studies are underway to determine the optimal dose for registrational trials, with the highest dose showing reversible, manageable toxicity.
By integrating Halda’s pipeline, platform, and talent with its world-class R&D, commercial, and manufacturing capabilities, J&J aims to accelerate the development and global delivery of these innovative therapies.
The deal is expected to close within the next few months, subject to antitrust clearance and customary closing conditions. J&J anticipates short-term dilution in 2026 due to financing and non-recurring charges related to Halda employee equity awards, but views the acquisition as a catalyst for mid- and long-term growth.
The acquisition reflects a broader trend of Big Pharma’s increasing focus on innovative biotech platforms and targeted therapies. J&J’s move follows other major deals in the sector, such as Pfizer’s acquisition of Metsera and Merck’s buyout of Cidara Therapeutics, highlighting the strategic importance of novel mechanisms in oncology.
Jennifer Taubert, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Chairman, Innovative Medicine, Johnson & Johnson said “This acquisition strengthens our oncology pipeline with a promising prostate cancer asset and a versatile platform for multiple diseases. We look forward to integrating Halda’s strengths with our world-class capabilities to deliver therapies globally.”
John C. Reed, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Innovative Medicine, R&D, Johnson & Johnson stated “Halda’s technology targets cancer cells even when resistant to current treatments. HLD-0915 shows strong preliminary efficacy and safety in prostate cancer, and we aim to accelerate its ongoing Phase 1/2 trial alongside advancing other RIPTAC-based candidates.”
Christian S. Schade, President and CEO of Halda Therapeutics said “Halda is committed to advancing its novel RIPTAC modality to create the next generation of selective small molecule therapeutics for serious diseases. This acquisition supports rapid development of our prostate cancer program and pipeline expansion beyond oncology.”
By acquiring Halda, J&J positions itself at the forefront of next-generation cancer treatments, leveraging cutting-edge science to address resistance and improve patient outcomes across multiple tumor types.
References
Johnson & Johnson set to revolutionize the treatment of cancer with the acquisition of Halda Therapeutics, Johnson and Johnson, 17 November 2025, https://www.jnj.com/media-center/press-releases/johnson-johnson-set-to-revolutionize-the-treatment-of-cancer-with-the-acquisition-of-halda-therapeutics
Halda Therapeutics Announces Acquisition by Johnson & Johnson, 17 November 2025, Halda Therapeutics, https://haldatx.com/halda-therapeutics-announces-acquisition-by-johnson-johnson/
HLD-0915, our lead drug program for prostate cancer-RIPTAC therapeutic leveraging androgen receptor expression, HALDA Therapeutics, https://haldatx.com/our-pipeline/