Every year 19 million people around the world die from cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. This tremendous global burden compels Janssen to develop new therapies that will change the face of these diseases and, ultimately, eliminate them. The focus lies on finding and developing truly transformational therapies that target underlying disease pathways, important pathways, and novel mechanisms of action.
Janssen is transforming the treatment of type 2 diabetes and thrombosis with its products. And while these important products continue to change the way doctors are treating diabetes and thrombosis the company remains focused on finding the next wave of transformational treatments for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases that will prevent, intercept and cure devastating diseases.
The Immunology Therapeutic Area (TA) of Janssen Research & Development, has redefined the standard of care in immunology over the past two decades. Through the work of dedicated teams of scientists and drug developers, the TA has propelled Janssen to a leadership position with cutting-edge treatments that address the needs of millions of patients living with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Janssen offered the first anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibody, leading a class of new medicines that have changed the way chronic conditions in gastroenterology, rheumatology and dermatology are treated. Today, biologic medicines have been used to treat millions of patients worldwide across a broad spectrum of inflammatory diseases, targeting the underlying drivers of disease—not just the symptoms. In addition to establishing anti-TNF-alpha therapy, the company demonstrated the essential roles for inhibiting interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic, life-threatening disorder characterized by abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries between the heart and lungs. Janssen has established Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) as a sixth therapeutic area (TA) of focus. Actelion’s PAH franchise encompasses oral, inhaled and intravenous formulations of compounds, for patients at various stages in the course of this disease (WHO Functional Classes II–IV), enabling the company to deliver treatments across the entire continuum of care. Actelion is the only company that offers outcome-based therapies for patients suffering from PAH (Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension).
From viral hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to respiratory infections like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pathogens of global concern such as polio and ebola, the teams of people working in Infectious Diseases & Vaccines at Janssen have one mission. We work every day with the goal to discover and develop novel therapeutics and vaccines to treat and cure infectious diseases worldwide, improving treatment outcomes and patients’ lives.
The Janssen Infectious Diseases & Vaccines teams focus on internal discovery and world-class development of both therapeutics and vaccines and seek out partners from all around the world to connect our own expertise and science with that of others.
The Janssen Research & Development Neuroscience team is focused on neurodegenerative diseases and mood disorders and continues the important commercial activities in schizophrenia. While their primary interest is in programs aimed at the discovery and development of novel medicines, the teams are also interested in new biomarkers and companion diagnostics to drive earlier and more accurate diagnosis, treatment response and outcome prediction in these core focus areas.
Next to this, the company is highly interested in biologics and developing novel strategies to address blood-brain barrier challenges to improve central nervous system penetration of large-molecule medicines; for example, through receptor-mediated transcytosis and intra-nasal delivery methods.
Janssen is working to change expectations of what a cancer diagnosis means. The company focuses its efforts on discovering first of a kind medicines for cancers where there are limited treatment options. Pursue the cancer types and sub-types which the company knows best and where the highest impact can be achieved: hematological malignancies, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. However, the ambitions are to go one step further, stopping cancer before it can get a hold.
Ortho-Gynol was introduced in 1931 as the first prescription family planning product from the Ortho Products operating unit. This pioneering contraceptive gel was based on the need for trusted family planning products.
HALDOL® (haloperidol) was discovered by Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V. in 1960. Patients taking HALDOL® could be treated at home instead of in an institution. It became the gold standard for treating schizophrenia for more than 25 years.
Ortho Pharmaceutical introduces the second oral contraceptive available in the United States (Ortho-Novum 10 and Ortho-Novum 2, produced by Syntex).
Ortho Diagnostic Systems introduces RhoGAM Rho(D) immune globulin, the first medication developed to prevent Rh hemolytic disease of the newborn.
We introduced a cell line technology that enables faster and most cost effective discovery, development and production of a range of potentially transformational vaccines and monoclonal antibodies.
PROCRIT®, approved by the U.S. FDA for use in 1989, is a prescription medicine used to treat certain types of anemia.
Centocor, now part of Janssen Biotech Inc., introduces REMICADE®, a prescription medication used to treat many auto-immune conditions, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis and plaque psoriasis.
AdVac® technology, based on the development and production of adenovirus vectors is introduced. It can be used to develop vaccines against life-threatening infectious diseases such as Ebola.
Established in celebration of the legacy of “Dr. Paul” and in recognition of current researchers demonstrating a similar spirit, the Dr. Paul Janssen Award was first presented in 2006.
ZYTIGA®, a prescription medication used in combination with prednisone to treat men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, is introduced.
DARZALEX® (daratumumab) injection for intravenous infusion is indicated for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least three prior lines of therapy.
Eleven Janssen products are on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines.