Both Feet in Belgium
Continuing to make conscious investments in Belgium, even during economic crises. That is Janssen. In Belgium, parent company Johnson & Johnson employs approximately 5000 people and contributes more than a billion euros in research and development investments annually. That means that the company plays an important – and distinguished – role in Belgian employment and the economy.
Janssen is the largest private investor in research and development in this country. In 2012, the company invested some 1.2 billion euros here. These investments are essential for the development of new products and technologies for urgent, as yet unresolved, medical needs.
In addition to this, the company spends millions each year on equipment, buildings and software. Recently, Janssen invested another 49 million euros in the construction of a new European center for the distribution of medicines in La Louvière.
These investments demonstrate the deep-rooted confidence of our parent company in Belgium as a subsidiary location. “In recent years, Belgium has made some serious efforts to create an attractive investment climate for the pharmaceutical industry – one of the pillars of the Belgium economy. We continue to make targeted investments in Belgium. Because here we can compensate high labour costs with advanced scientific knowledge and a stimulating taxation environment”, explains Tom Heyman, CEO of Janssen in Belgium.
It takes many years to go from the first research to the actual market launch of a drug. Tom: “That is why it is important that the government creates a stable fiscal and economic climate, one that allows us to develop and expand this essential long-term vision.”
“We can only continue to invest in Research & Development if our efforts are also rewarded with a fair price for drugs which are truly innovative and make a difference for the patient”, says Sonja Willems, Managing Director of Janssen Benelux. “Together with the government and our partners, we want to outline a vision where the patient is the central focus. This vision for the future is also important for the anchoring of the pharmaceutical industry in Belgium. It is the most important and fastest growing export sector in our country, and we must continue to make it our ambition to strengthen this position.”
For its decades-long trust and consistent investment strategy in Belgium, parent company Johnson & Johnson (J&J) was awarded the first Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. This prize from the independent Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) agency highlights the importance of foreign investments in the Flemish economy. FIT has called J&J a role model for domestic and foreign investments. Moreover it commended J&J's targeted efforts in the areas of innovation and growth.
“J&J itself is one of the most significant players in the Pharma & Life Sciences industry in Belgium. But one of its priorities is also ensuring a significant cross-pollination between pharmaceutical and biotech companies, which has led to a good number of spin-offs”, says Claire Tillekaerts, Managing Director of FIT. “This is how our country has developed into one of the most important players in Europe in the area of biotechnology. Due in part to the investment strategy of J&J, Flanders has become an important center of attraction for biotech companies. And has been able to draw in a great deal of risk capital for sustainable investments.”