Johnson & Johnson announced that it has reached an agreement for a comprehensive resolution of the remaining talc litigation with the plaintiff firms leading the federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL) and related state court proceedings, conditioned on, among other things, the express participation of at least 95% of the remaining claims.

The proposed resolution follows a favorable ruling by the MDL court, and acknowledgment by plaintiffs’ counsel, regarding plaintiffs’ inability to prove that the Company’s talc products caused any particular claimant’s ovarian cancer (specific causation).

“After decades of litigation and full vetting of the science in an extensive hearing, plaintiffs effectively conceded their inability to prove specific causation by withdrawing their experts on the topic in two bellwether cases. In a watershed moment, the Court thereafter ordered plaintiffs to show why the remaining claims should not be dismissed, confirming what we have maintained for years: that these claims lack scientific merit and were sustained only by unreliable expert opinions that could not survive rigorous judicial review,” said Erik Haas, Worldwide Vice President of Litigation, Johnson & Johnson.

“The Court’s order placed plaintiffs in an untenable position of having to present specific causation evidence to maintain their claims that does not exist. While we are confident the Company would have ultimately prevailed with further litigation, as it has in the vast majority of cases tried to date, this resolution allows the Company to put this matter behind it and remain focused on its mission to develop medicines and devices that save lives.”

The MDL Court’s recent specific causation ruling confirmed the Company’s longstanding position that these claims lack scientific merit.

The Company has prevailed in the overwhelming majority of ovarian cases tried to date.

On July 22, 2026, the MDL court ordered plaintiffs to show why the remaining pending talc claims should not be dismissed for inability to prove specific causation.

The order followed plaintiffs’ withdrawal of their specific causation experts in two bellwether cases, after a hearing that demonstrated their opinions were not based upon reliable scientific methodologies.

The developments affirmed the Company’s longstanding position that the talc claims are premised on junk science that has been rejected for decades by United States scientific organizations and regulatory agencies, as well as independent experts.

The proposed resolution constitutes an efficient conclusion to the talc litigation.

The resolution:

Requires and is conditioned on—among other criteria—the participation of lead plaintiff firms in all ovarian talc litigation pending in state and federal court, representing at least 95% of the remaining claims.

Calls for per claim payments, with a $5.5 billion commitment by the Company and the first payment of no more than $3 billion to be made in 2027 and no additional payments due before 2028.

Complements the progress the Company already has made to resolve the talc litigation, including previously settling about 95% of filed mesothelioma lawsuits, all State consumer protection claims, and all talc-supplier disputes.

Brings finality to this meritless 15-year litigation.

Studies show talc is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer.

Research, clinical evidence, and decades of studies by independent medical experts around the world continue to support the safety of cosmetic talc.

Prior to its separation, Johnson & Johnson agreed to retain all the talc-related liabilities and indemnify Kenvue for any and all costs—arising from litigation in the United States and Canada.

As part of a worldwide portfolio assessment, Johnson & Johnson made the commercial decision to discontinue talc-based JOHNSON’S® Baby Powder globally in 2023. Additionally, Johnson & Johnson separated its consumer health business, Kenvue, in August 2023.