---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000200406-21-000061"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "JNJ"
cik: "0000200406"
company_name: "JOHNSON & JOHNSON"
filed_at: "2021-08-20T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-29T08:45:13.082925+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Alex Gorsky to step down as JNJ CEO Jan 3, 2022; Joaquin Duato named successor

## Summary
- Alex Gorsky will transition from CEO to Executive Chairman effective Jan 3, 2022, citing family health reasons.
- Joaquin Duato, currently Vice Chairman of Executive Committee, becomes CEO and joins Board on Jan 3, 2022.
- Under Gorsky, R&D investment rose 60% to $12B, adjusted EPS increased ~85%, and market cap grew from ~$180B to ~$470B.
- Duato has been with JNJ since 1989, led Pharma transformation, and oversaw COVID-19 response and supply chain continuity.
- Board cites long-term succession planning; Duato is 'uniquely qualified' to lead.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000200406-21-000061
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: JNJ
- cik: 0000200406
- company_name: JOHNSON & JOHNSON
- filed_at: 2021-08-20T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/200406/000020040621000061/0000200406-21-000061-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/200406/000020040621000061/jnj-20210819.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000200406-21-000061
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000200406-21-000061.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000200406-21-000061.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Joaquin Duato was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at JOHNSON & JOHNSON.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Joaquin Duato will become CEO of the Company, effective January 3, 2022;
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/200406/000020040621000061/0000200406-21-000061-index.htm
- Executive change
  Joaquin Duato was appointed as Director at JOHNSON & JOHNSON.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: Mr. Duato will be appointed a Director of the Board, effective January 3, 2022;
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/200406/000020040621000061/0000200406-21-000061-index.htm
- Executive change
  Alex Gorsky changed role as Executive Chairman at JOHNSON & JOHNSON.
  - Action: relinquished
  - Role: Executive Chairman
  source text: Alex Gorsky, currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company, will relinquish the CEO position, effective January 3, 2022, and will continue his service on the Board as Executive Chairman.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/200406/000020040621000061/0000200406-21-000061-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.