Investing.com -- Protagonist Therapeutics (NASDAQ:PTGX) stock spiked 10% before being halted for volatility after The Wall Street Journal reported that Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is in talks to acquire the biotech company.
The potential acquisition would strengthen the existing partnership between the two companies, according to people familiar with the matter cited by the WSJ. While specific details of the negotiations weren’t disclosed, the report indicated that a deal is not guaranteed.
Protagonist Therapeutics had a market capitalization exceeding $4 billion as of Thursday’s close. Any potential acquisition would likely value the company significantly higher than its current market value, including a typical acquisition premium.
Trading in Protagonist shares was temporarily suspended following the sharp price movement triggered by the acquisition report. The company specializes in developing novel peptide-based therapeutics.
Johnson & Johnson’s interest in Protagonist would represent another strategic move in the pharmaceutical giant’s ongoing portfolio expansion efforts through acquisitions of promising biotech companies with complementary therapeutic pipelines.
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Protagonist Therapeutics stock surges after J&J acquisition talks report
Published 1 month ago
Oct 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM
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