J&J Launches First JLABS in Europe
The global Johnson & Johnson Innovation network is now all set to establish its first JLABS incubator in Europe called JLABS @ BE, which will be the 10th JLABS in the world. The new JLABS @ BE will be located on the Janssen R&D Campus in northern Belgium, building upon the already-established incubation model at Beerse set up in 2016 in partnership with Bioqube Ventures.
It is this very site where Dr. Paul Janssen – one of the 20th century’s most innovative and productive pharmaceutical researchers – first established Janssen Pharmaceutica NV more than six decades ago, laying the foundation for the discovery and development of more than 80 new medicines during his lifetime.
The site will accommodate up to 30 life science start-ups “focused on innovations across the entire healthcare spectrum, including biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer and health tech sectors”.
“By creating a JLABS on the Beerse Janssen R&D Campus, we take another step towards our vision of a truly global, open innovation ecosystem. This unique model will support entrepreneurs in progressing their transformative science through access to state-of-the-art infrastructure, expertise and funding opportunities and all in the knowledge that their ideas can progress with no-strings attached,
” said Melinda Richter, Global Head of JLABS, Johnson & Johnson Innovation. “We are proud of our commitment to nurture breakthrough science regardless of where it originates with the ambition of solving the greatest unmet medical and healthcare needs of our time.”JLABS @ BE will provide resident entrepreneurs with a capital efficient and flexible platform, including an extensive global network, that will enable them to accelerate the delivery of life-saving, life-enhancing health and wellness solutions to consumers and patients both in Europe and around the world.
“We are inspired by Dr. Paul Janssen’s famous call-to-action, The patients are waiting,” said Bill Hait, Global Head, Global External Innovation, Johnson & Johnson. “Our goal is to attract the best and brightest talent in science and technology, and to work with partners in healthcare to help start new, highly innovative companies, providing a wealth of incubation options for our partners and insights to new innovation for our businesses around the globe.”
“Additionally, JLABS provides the optimal environment for emerging companies to catalyze growth and optimize their research and development by opening them to vital industry connections, delivering entrepreneurial programs and providing a capital-efficient, flexible platform where they can transform the scientific discoveries of today into the breakthrough healthcare solutions of tomorrow. This model has proven highly successful in other regions of the world and we are optimistic that this will be an important progression for the EMEA region,” a spokesperson for J&J said.
