Class Action Certification Announced for Stelara Third Party Payors Impacting Rights
Legal Notice: Class Action Certification on Stelara Purchases
Overview
On December 8, 2025, Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP and Lowey Dannenberg, P.C. announced the certification of a class action lawsuit on behalf of third-party payors (TPPs) that purchased or financed some or all costs associated with the pharmaceutical drug Stelara. This decision could affect the legal rights of those individuals and organizations involved, specifically related to the pricing established by its manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Biotech Inc.
Details of the Lawsuit
The case, designated as CareFirst of Maryland v. Johnson & Johnson, is currently pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The complaint alleges that the defendants participated in illegal actions that violated state antitrust and consumer protection laws. It is claimed that the companies deliberately maintained a monopoly over the market for ustekinumab, the active ingredient in Stelara, stifling competition and elevating prices.
Allegations Against Johnson & Johnson
The plaintiffs suggest that Johnson & Johnson engaged in three primary illegal activities that caused financial harm to TPPs:
1. Fraudulently obtaining a patent method for treating ulcerative colitis.
2. Illegally acquiring what are known as the Momenta biosimilar manufacturing patents.
3. Unlawfully enforcing these patents against prospective competitors in a way that delayed the entry of biosimilars into the market by over 15 months.
As a direct consequence of these alleged activities, TPPs were compelled to pay excessive and non-competitive prices for Stelara and any potential biosimilar versions. The lawsuit seeks to recover damages for these overpayments.
Class Eligibility
TPPs that purchased or paid for prescription drugs classified as Stelara between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025, will be included in the damages class. Important exclusions include:
- - Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates.
- - Federal and state governmental entities.
- - TPPs whose purchases were solely made under Medicaid plans.
- - Any entity that opts out of the class.
Representation and Legal Fees
Court-appointed attorneys, referred to as
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