Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay an estimated $US5.5 billion ($7.9b) to settle tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging its talc-based baby powder and other products cause ovarian cancer.

The proposed settlement covers about 76,000 existing claims and could bring to an end a decade-long legal battle that has overshadowed the company.

Despite the settlement, Johnson & Johnson continues to deny the allegations.

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The company’s vice president of litigation Erik Haas described the claims as “meritless”, saying the company remained confident it would “ultimately have prevailed in court” but had chosen to settle to bring the matter to a close to “remain focused on its mission to develop medicines and devices that save lives.”

The agreement still requires support from at least 95 per cent of eligible ovarian cancer claimants, before it becomes final.

The international development comes as legal action against Johnson & Johnson continues in Australia.

Shine Lawyers confirmed its Australian class action formally advanced last week, with a statement of claim filed on Thursday. The matter is due to return to court for its first case management conference on August 26.

The class action has been brought on behalf of women diagnosed — before December 1, 2025 — with ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, other gynaecological cancers or mesothelioma, as well as eligible family members of those who have died.

Shine Lawyers head of class actions Craig Allsopp said the US settlement was an encouraging development but warned Australians should manage expectations.

“While developments in the United States are positive and may provide useful indicators, any compensation outcomes will depend on the specific circumstances of the Australian proceedings,” Allsopp told 7NEWS in a statement.

Talc is a natural mineral made of magnesium, silicon, oxygen and hydrogen, known for its soapy feel and is often used in baby powder. The company faced lawsuits from consumers and their survivors who claim Johnson & Johnson’s talc products caused cancer due to contamination with asbestos. Talc is mined from the earth and is found in seams close to that of asbestos.

Johnson & Johnson stopped selling its talc-based baby powder around the world in 2022, replacing it with a cornstarch-based product, but has consistently maintained its talc products are safe, does not contain asbestos and do not cause cancer.