Johnson & Johnson Highlights Commitment to Transform Treatment of Retinal Diseases at ARVO 2024

RARITAN, N.J., May 3, 2024 – Johnson & Johnson today announced that eight company-sponsored presentations will be featured during the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2024 Annual Meeting taking place in Seattle from May 5–9, 2024. The Company’s two oral presentations will include one highlighting a real-world analysis on the economic value of early genetic testing in patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), a group of rare eye disorders that can lead to serious vision impairment (Abstract #2154), and the second evaluating the role of automatic deep-learning based algorithms to measure precursors of geographic atrophy (GA), a late-stage and severe form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (Abstract #2770).^1,2

Additionally, Johnson & Johnson will spotlight its EYE-RD Global Registry at the meeting, a first-of-its-kind observational, non-interventional global IRD registry created to make clinical information on IRDs more accessible to patients, providers, payers, and researchers. The registry will serve as a centralized repository of longitudinal data collected on genetically tested patients who are diagnosed or have a suspected diagnosis of IRDs such as X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, a rare IRD estimated to impact one in 40,000 people globally.^3,4 The registry has the potential to bridge the knowledge gap in IRDs through the collection of real-world data by collating more holistic insights about disease progression and patient experiences.

“At Johnson & Johnson, we are committed to preserving vision, harnessing the best science to find solutions for those living with blinding retinal diseases,” said Hideo Makimura, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President and Global Head, Specialty Ophthalmology Research and Development, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. “These data at ARVO 2024 showcase our commitment to bringing innovative new therapies that preserve and restore vision for patients worldwide.”

Key results from two oral presentations include:

• Economic Value of Early Genetic Testing in Inherited Retinal Dystrophies Diagnosis (Abstract #2154)¹
  
  • Patients with delayed genetic testing incurred significantly higher healthcare costs than those with early genetic testing ($76,838 vs. $13,084 in total costs, respectively).
  • Genetic testing is often delayed due to lack of awareness or cost. The data reinforces the importance of early testing to potentially help improve IRD diagnosis and lower overall healthcare costs.
• Deep-Learning Based Algorithm for Automatic cRORA and Photoreceptor Loss Detection in Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) Imaging (Abstract #2770)²
  
  • Due to slow and variable GA progression in patients, it can be challenging to measure the efficacy of treatments in clinical trials, often leading to long trial durations and large sample sizes, which could delay the availability of potential new therapies.
  • Automatic deep-learning based segmentation of multiple SD-OCT imaging biomarkers could potentially provide a time-saving and cost-effective method to quantify and predict disease progression and help clinicians more rapidly determine the efficacy of treatments in clinical trials.

A complete listing of the Company-sponsored abstracts being featured at the ARVO Annual Meeting is provided below. Abstracts can also be found on the ARVO website.

Johnson & Johnson will also have an interactive Specialty Ophthalmology Medical Affairs exhibit booth (location #1539) at the ARVO annual meeting. For more information about Johnson & Johnson’s investigational portfolio in Specialty Ophthalmology, please visit www.retina.janssen.com.

About Our Commitment to Eye Health
At Johnson & Johnson, we have a deep legacy in developing transformational new products that improve the health of patients’ eyes. As a global leader in eye health, we have a bold ambition: Vision Made Possible – and are paving the way for a new future of eye health to support the full spectrum of pediatric, developed, and mature eyes. Through cutting-edge innovation, scientific expertise, and advanced technologies, we are revolutionizing the way people see and experience the world. At every step of the eye health journey – from investigational gene therapies for retinal diseases to contact lenses and refractive and cataract surgical solutions – we stand as a trusted partner with the goal of making vision possible for customers and patients.

About Johnson & Johnson
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.

Learn more at www.jnj.com or at www.janssen.com/johnson-johnson-innovative-medicine. Follow us at @JanssenUS and @JNJInnovMed. Janssen Research & Development, LLC is a Johnson & Johnson company.

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of botaretigene sparoparvovec and JNJ-81201887. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc. and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, including in the sections captioned “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and in Johnson & Johnson’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Neither Janssen Research & Development, LLC nor Johnson & Johnson undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

© Johnson & Johnson, Inc. 2024. All rights reserved.

¹Zhang Q, et al. Economic value of early genetic testing in inherited retinal dystrophies diagnosis. Abstract #2154. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2024 Annual Meeting

²De Silva T, et al. Deep Learning based Algorithm for Automatic cRORA and Photoreceptor Loss Detection in SD-OCT Imaging. Abstract #2770. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2024 Annual Meeting

³Boughman JA, Conneally PM, Nance WE. Population genetic studies of retinitis pigmentosa. Am J Hum Genet. 1980;32(2):223–235.

⁴Fishman GA. Retinitis pigmentosa. Genetic percentages. Arch Ophthalmol. 1978;96(5):822–826.