J&J plans slew of regulatory filings through 2017

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson expects to file for Food and Drug Administration approval of more than 10 new drugs over the next four years, the drug maker said Thursday.

J&J's Janssen Pharmaceutical Cos. highlighted its more than 11 new product launches since 2009 and said it hoped to file with the FDA for more than two-dozen "significant" extensions to its branded drug lines by 2017.

"Our investment in transformational innovation has enabled strong growth that has allowed us to continue investing in our future portfolio," J&J chief scientific officer and worldwide chairman of the company's pharmaceuticals group Paul Stoffels said. "With a steadfast focus on the most serious unmet medical needs, our approach is to identify the best science — internal and external — to deliver new options and solutions to patients."

The experimental drugs for which Janssen hopes to seek approval by 2017 include treatments for hepatitis C, cancers, autoimmune disorders, schizophrenia and new vaccines for flu, rabies and polio.