J&J is one of the best-known healthcare companies in the world, with more than 130,000 employees. Photo: Mark Kauzlarich/Bloomberg NewsThe succession race is on at Johnson & Johnson , after the abrupt departure of a top executive widely believed to have been in line for the healthcare company’s top job. Jennifer Taubert , a no-nonsense veteran who runs J&J’s pharmaceuticals business, and the investor-minded Chief Financial Officer Joseph Wolk are leading contenders for the top job after the surprising exit of J&J’s medical-device head Ashley McEvoy in October, people familiar with the succession race said.

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Persons: Mark Kauzlarich, Johnson, Jennifer Taubert, Joseph Wolk, Ashley McEvoy Organizations: Bloomberg, Johnson