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Why I’m proud to lead Janssen Belgium

Nov 04, 2016
Stef Heylen
Stef Heylen
Managing Director Janssen Belgium

I am here for the same reason most people join our company – to change the world through innovation that saves people’s lives.

It has been a privilege to work with the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies for over 30 years. There was no better company to join if I wanted to make a difference. This is the very same inspiration that continues to drive me today. I am here for the same reason most people join our company – to change the world through innovation that saves people’s lives.

The company has helped to decline death rates for patients battling diseases such as cancer, hepatitis C, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and many other conditions. Johnson & Johnson’s initiatives in global public health complement the groundbreaking science with innovative strategies that improve access to medicines, foster collaborations and support public health solutions to sustainably advance healthcare worldwide. It is responsible for a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products and services to address the world’s greatest unmet public health needs. Recently, Janssen received FDA approval for mebendazole chewable tablets, which will help millions of children at risk of infection with gastrointestinal worms. Congratulations to all who worked on this endeavor or supported us.

Despite these stunning accomplishments, I am very proud of, we’ve only just begun to realize the full potential of science and collaboration. We are on the cusp of an even more amazing story of disease prevention, interception, diagnosis and treatment leading to better outcomes for patients.

Today, I am looking forward to the amazing opportunity of leading one of the most vibrant Janssen campuses in the world. Janssen in Belgium is one of the largest European sites with over 5,000 employees following the example, energy and spirit of Dr. Paul Janssen. The Campus has been focusing on the development of innovative medicines for over 50 years and is a worldwide Center of Excellence investing in first-class research and development, production and market access expertise. With a unique innovation ecosystem covering the complete lifecycle of drug development, Janssen in Belgium is a unique Campus. Every day our people are dedicated to the discovery and development of a new generation of healthcare solutions for the fight against Alzheimer’s, mood disorders, hepatitis, HIV and different types of cancer. It’s a privilege to be part of this compelling future.

One of the many great initiatives I am excited about is the new company incubation model located at the Janssen Campus in Belgium. The JLINX team is in the process of identifying and nurturing promising European early-stage companies actively pursuing research with the potential to transform human health. I am thrilled to see strong networks are being created between different people who come together to work at our Campus around innovative ideas and combine resources, capabilities, financial means in novel ways. It’s an exciting story that opens up a world of possibilities. It provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to make an impact.

I am committed to enabling people to flourish, prosper, collaborate and create a healthier world for tomorrow. With an innovation culture that is unlike any company in the world, we are going to develop the best solutions that improve our patient’s lives and make our employees incredibly proud of what they do.

In this endeavor, it is my top priority to join forces with all players in the healthcare ecosystem. To achieve sustainable healthcare, we will need a coordinated, collaborative effort that brings together the key stakeholders from the public, private, academic and government sectors and maximizes transparency. We will continue to build meaningful and sustainable relationships.

I am looking forward to diving into my new role. As I look to the future, I am excited about our innovation potential and what we will do in collaboration with others. We will continue to work hard every day to build on our history of excellence and to find new and better ways to serve the millions of people across the globe who benefit from the solutions we create.

Thanks for your support. If you have any questions, suggestions or ideas, please do no hesitate to contact me.