Bayer Sues J&J Over Prostate Cancer Drug Claims

Bayer alleges false efficacy statements about Nubeqa versus Erleada in a New York federal lawsuit.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Bayer has filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Biotech, alleging the companies made false and misleading claims about the efficacy of its prostate cancer drug Nubeqa compared to J&J's Erleada. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeks injunctive relief and damages under the Lanham Act.

Why it matters

This lawsuit highlights the competitive nature of the pharmaceutical industry and the importance of accurate drug efficacy claims. Prostate cancer treatments are a lucrative market, and companies are under pressure to demonstrate the superiority of their products.

The details

Bayer cited multiple issues with J&J's analysis, including a significant imbalance in patient cohort size and insufficient follow-up time. Bayer also said Nubeqa was not approved for monotherapy during 97% of the analysis period, rendering comparisons invalid. J&J defended the findings and methodology, saying the analysis showed a 51% reduction in risk of death with Erleada and was designed in line with regulatory standards for real-world evidence.

  • The lawsuit was filed on February 23, 2026.
  • The analysis period ended in June 2025.

The players

Bayer

A multinational pharmaceutical and life sciences company.

Johnson & Johnson

A multinational corporation that develops medical devices, pharmaceutical, and consumer packaged goods.

Janssen Biotech

A subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson that focuses on developing and marketing biopharmaceutical products.

Nubeqa

Bayer's prostate cancer drug.

Erleada

Johnson & Johnson's prostate cancer drug.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on the merits of Bayer's claims and whether to grant injunctive relief or damages.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the importance of accurate and transparent drug efficacy claims in the highly competitive pharmaceutical industry, where companies are under pressure to demonstrate the superiority of their products.