NJ’s Embattled Tylenol Maker To Be Bought For $48.7 Billion

A Texas-based manufacturing corporation is closing a multi-billion-dollar deal to buy Kenvue, the New Jersey-based company that makes Tylenol.

Kimberly-Clark, known for brands like Huggies and Kleenex, will be purchasing the Summit-based consumer health company for roughly $48.7 billion, officials said Monday.

A statement said that Kimberly-Clark shareholders will own about 54 percent of the combined company, with Kenvue shareholders owning about 46 percent.

The combination of the two businesses will create a “massive consumer health goods company” that is expected to generate around $32 billion annually. This means Kimberly-Clark’s Cottonelle, Huggies, and Kleenex products will be under the same roof as Kenvue’s Listerine, Band-Aid, and, of course, Tylenol products.

"We are excited to bring together two iconic companies to create a global health and wellness leader," said Mike Hsu, Kimberly-Clark Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Kenvue is uniquely positioned at the intersection of CPG and healthcare, with exceptional talent and a differentiated brand offering serving attractive consumer health categories. With a shared commitment to developing science and technology to provide extraordinary care, we will serve billions of consumers across every stage of life.”

The deal still needs to be approved by shareholders from both companies, and is expected to close towards the end of 2026.

Officials said that Kimberly-Clark will continue to work from its Irving, Texas, headquarters, and a "significant presence" will remain at Kenvue's locations.

Tylenol Controversy

The deal, considered one of the largest corporate takeovers of 2025, comes weeks after the Trump administration announced that Tylenol was a contributing factor to autism in children.

Specifically, the president claimed that women who take Tylenol, otherwise known as acetaminophen, during pregnancy can result in their children developing the neurological condition. However, no new evidence was presented to validate a link between the pain relief medication and autism.

“Don’t take Tylenol, don’t take it…Fight like hell not to take it,” President Donald Trump said during a September press conference. “I’m just making these statements from me…I’m not making them from these doctors. Cause when they, uh, talk about, you know, different results, different studies, I talk about a lot of common sense. And they have that, too. They have that too, a lot.”

Trump’s claims were supported by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has also voiced concerns about vaccines in young children.

One study, conducted over the course of 20 years, reported a “slight statistical increase in risk of autism and ADHD” of children whose mothers took Tylenol. However, the researchers said that “association is not causation,” and determined no link between acetaminophen use and autism.

Roughly one in 31 American children lives with autism, according to the CDC, which is a dramatic increase over the last few years. Experts believe the increase is due to a wider spectrum of autism and medical advancements in diagnosing the developmental disorder. No one cause has been identified to result in autism, as it is more likely caused by a range of genetic and environmental factors, experts say.

State health officials have disputed the president's claims, saying that using Tylenol as directed by a health care provider is safe when pregnant.

"Acetaminophen has been widely used for decades and is considered safe and effective when used as directed and as needed during pregnancy. We also continue to remind New Jersey families to stay up to date on all recommended vaccines," said Acting NJ Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. "In New Jersey, we will continue to follow the science. We are committed to monitoring ongoing research and rooting our recommendations in credible scientific data. In the meantime, we urge caution in sharing or acting on unverified health claims."

Kenvue also released a statement contradicting the president’s claims, saying, “We have continuously evaluated the relevant science and there is no credible data that shows a proven link between taking acetaminophen and autism. Rigorous, independent research, endorsed by leading medical professionals and global health regulators, confirms this, and trusted health professionals agree.”

While experts agree that using Tylenol when pregnant is safe, the use of other pain relief medicines, like ibuprofen, can harm a developing baby.

The Associated Press and Alexis Tarrazi contributed reporting.

See Related Coverage:

• NJ Health Officials Issue Notice On Recent Tylenol Claims
• What You Should Know About Unproven Claims Of Tylenol-Autism Link