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# FTC Weighs in Against J&J in Stelara Monopoly Case
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/ftc-weighs-in-against-j-j-in-stelara-monopoly-case/
- Published: 2026-06-24T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T13:41:50.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5161369

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed an amicus brief supporting plaintiffs in an antitrust lawsuit accusing Johnson & Johnson of unlawfully maintaining a monopoly over its blockbuster autoimmune drug Stelara through anticompetitive conduct. The case was brought by CareFirst of Maryland, which alleges that J&J preserved its dominance in the market for Stelara by acquiring Momenta Pharmaceuticals and subsequently using its patent portfolio to delay or block competing products.

In its [filing](https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/amicus-briefs/carefirst-maryland-et-al-plaintiffs-appellants-v-johnson-johnson-et-al-defendants-appellees?ref=fdaweb.com), the FTC urged the court to reject arguments that antitrust plaintiffs must prove a company specifically intended to harm competition in order to establish an unlawful monopoly maintenance claim. According to the agency, longstanding Supreme Court precedent focuses on the effects of a company's conduct on competition and consumers rather than the defendant's subjective intent. The commission warned that requiring proof of specific anticompetitive intent would weaken antitrust enforcement and make it more difficult to challenge monopolistic behavior.

The lawsuit centers on Stelara, a biologic therapy approved for multiple autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. The drug has generated billions of dollars in annual sales and has been the subject of ongoing litigation and patent disputes involving biosimilar competition.

The FTC said it intervened because of its interest in ensuring proper application of federal antitrust laws. The filing also reflects the agency's broader focus on pharmaceutical competition and prescription drug pricing under the Trump administration.