Janssen Vaccines

Janssen Vaccines is a biotechnology and vaccine business based in Leiden, Netherlands, and part of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals organization, now associated with the company’s Innovative Medicine business. The organization specializes in vaccine research, vaccine production, and biopharmaceutical technologies, with work spanning infectious diseases and platform technologies used in vaccine development. The business traces its corporate history to IntroGene, a Leiden University spin-off established in 1993. IntroGene developed biotechnology capabilities and entered into a partnership with Genzyme involving vector technology and viral-based products. In 1999, it helped establish Galapagos Genomics as a joint venture with Tibotec. In 2000, IntroGene acquired U-Bisys, creating the corporate structure that became Crucell. Crucell expanded through combinations with other vaccine businesses. In 2006, Crucell joined with Swiss Berna Biotech, Swedish SBL Vaccines, and United States-based Berna Products. The enlarged company was described as one of the world’s larger vaccine companies and maintained its own clinical development programs. Crucell subsequently attracted interest from larger pharmaceutical companies. In early 2009, it disclosed discussions with Wyeth concerning a possible combination, but those discussions ended after Pfizer acquired Wyeth. Johnson & Johnson first acquired an 18 percent stake in Crucell in September 2009 for approximately €302 million, with the stated objective of collaborating on influenza-vaccine development. The investment followed Crucell’s work on CR6261, a human antibody reported to neutralize a broad range of influenza A viruses. Johnson & Johnson later acquired the remainder of the company. Its ownership exceeded 95 percent by February 2011, and Crucell was delisted from stock exchanges two months later. Following the takeover, Crucell was incorporated into the Janssen Pharmaceuticals division. In 2014, the subsidiary was renamed Janssen Vaccines. The Leiden organization subsequently became central to Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine program. Its Ad26.COV2.S vaccine, based on an adenovirus vector and designed as a single-dose primary vaccination, was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and produced initially at the Leiden site. The vaccine was marketed internationally under the Johnson & Johnson name and became the organization’s most visible public-health product. Janssen Vaccines’ portfolio also includes Ebola vaccines developed through its biotechnology and vaccine operations. The Zabdeno and Mvabea regimen was developed for Ebola prevention and forms part of the company’s infectious-disease portfolio. Overall, the business combines vaccine discovery, viral-vector expertise, biopharmaceutical research, clinical development, and manufacturing within Johnson & Johnson’s global pharmaceutical network. Public information identifies Leiden as the principal location associated with its vaccine activities, while the wider parent organization supports development and commercialization across international markets.

Janssen Vaccines developed from the Dutch biotechnology company Crucell, whose predecessor IntroGene was established in 1993 as a spin-off from Leiden University. IntroGene’s early activities included biotechnology research and collaboration with Genzyme on vector technology and viral-based products. In 1999, IntroGene joined with Tibotec to establish Galapagos Genomics as a joint venture. The following year, IntroGene acquired U-Bisys, creating the corporate foundation that became Crucell. The company expanded its vaccine capabilities through a major combination in 2006. Crucell joined forces with Swiss vaccine company Berna Biotech, Swedish SBL Vaccines, and United States-based Berna Products. The resulting organization was described as the sixth-largest vaccine company globally at that time and operated its own clinical programs. This expansion strengthened its position in vaccine research and gave it a broader international operating base. Crucell later became a potential partner or acquisition target for larger pharmaceutical companies. On 7 January 2009, it announced that it was in discussions with Wyeth regarding a possible merger or combination. Those negotiations did not continue. On 26 January 2009, Crucell stated that the discussions had been discontinued because Pfizer had acquired Wyeth. Johnson & Johnson entered a strategic relationship with Crucell in September 2009 by acquiring an 18 percent stake for approximately €302 million. The transaction was linked to cooperation in influenza-vaccine development. It followed Crucell’s discovery of CR6261, a human antibody reported to neutralize a broad range of influenza A viruses. Johnson & Johnson subsequently moved from a minority investment to full control. Its ownership rose above 95 percent by February 2011, and Crucell was delisted from stock exchanges two months later. After the acquisition, Crucell was assigned to the Janssen Pharmaceuticals division of Johnson & Johnson. In 2014, the subsidiary was renamed Janssen Vaccines. The renamed organization retained its Dutch vaccine base and continued to work on infectious-disease vaccines and biopharmaceutical technologies within the Johnson & Johnson group. The Leiden organization became particularly prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic through its role in developing Ad26.COV2.S, Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine used a viral-vector approach and was distinguished by its single-dose design for the initial vaccination regimen. Initial production was associated with the Janssen facility in Leiden. The product gave the organization a highly visible role in the international pandemic response while connecting its historical vector-technology work with a large-scale public-health application. Janssen Vaccines also developed the Ebola vaccine regimen known as Zabdeno and Mvabea. Together with its COVID-19 program, the Ebola products illustrate the organization’s focus on vaccines for serious infectious diseases. Its history therefore combines university-origin biotechnology, corporate consolidation, vaccine-sector acquisitions, integration into a multinational pharmaceutical group, and development of viral-vector products for global health use.

• 2014

  The business adopts the Janssen Vaccines name

  [1]Janssen Vaccinesen.wikipedia.org

  Crucell is renamed Janssen Vaccines.

• 2011

  Crucell is integrated into Janssen Pharmaceuticals

  [1]Janssen Vaccinesen.wikipedia.org

  After Johnson & Johnson gains control, Crucell is assigned to the Janssen Pharmaceuticals division and is subsequently delisted.

• 2009

  Johnson & Johnson takes an 18 percent stake

  [1]Janssen Vaccinesen.wikipedia.org

  Johnson & Johnson invests in Crucell to collaborate on influenza-vaccine development.

• 2006

  Crucell combines with Berna Biotech, SBL Vaccines, and Berna Products

  [1]Janssen Vaccinesen.wikipedia.org

  The companies join forces, creating a larger international vaccine business with its own clinical programs.

• 2000

  IntroGene acquires U-Bisys

  [1]Janssen Vaccinesen.wikipedia.org

  IntroGene acquires U-Bisys, forming the corporate structure that becomes Crucell.

• 1999

  Galapagos Genomics joint venture is founded

  [1]Janssen Vaccinesen.wikipedia.org

  IntroGene and Tibotec establish Galapagos Genomics as a joint venture.

• 1993

  IntroGene is established

  [1]Janssen Vaccinesen.wikipedia.org

  IntroGene, the predecessor of Crucell and ultimately Janssen Vaccines, is established as a spin-off from Leiden University.

• Ad26.COV2.S is developed

  [1]Janssen Vaccinesen.wikipedia.org

  The Leiden organization develops Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccine.

A science-led vaccine and biotechnology organization that uses viral-vector and related biopharmaceutical capabilities within Johnson & Johnson to address infectious diseases and global public-health needs.

• COVID-19 vaccine

  Ad26.COV2.S

  Ad26.COV2.S is Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Janssen vaccine organization in Leiden. It uses an adenovirus-vector platform and was distinguished during the pandemic by its single-dose primary vaccination design. Initial production was associated with the Leiden site, and the vaccine was used internationally as part of the pandemic response.

• Ebola vaccine regimen

  Zabdeno and Mvabea

  Zabdeno and Mvabea are Ebola vaccines developed within Janssen’s infectious-disease vaccine portfolio. The products form a two-vaccine regimen intended to provide protection against Ebola and represent the organization’s work on vaccines for severe epidemic diseases.

• Influenza antibody research program

  CR6261

  CR6261 is a human antibody discovered by Crucell and reported to neutralize a broad range of influenza A viruses. Its discovery contributed to Johnson & Johnson’s 2009 investment in Crucell and the companies’ planned collaboration on influenza-vaccine development.

• 2014

  Crucell is rebranded as Janssen VaccinesStrategy

  Background

  After its integration into Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals division, the former Crucell business required alignment with the Janssen identity.

  Action taken

  The subsidiary is renamed Janssen Vaccines.

  Aftermath

  The business continues its vaccine and biopharmaceutical activities under the Janssen name.

  Source

• 2011

  Johnson & Johnson completes acquisition and delists CrucellM&A

  Background

  Following its initial minority investment, Johnson & Johnson increased its ownership of Crucell and brought the company into its pharmaceutical organization.

  Action taken

  Johnson & Johnson raised its ownership above 95 percent, after which Crucell was delisted from stock exchanges.

  Aftermath

  Crucell became part of Janssen Pharmaceuticals and was later renamed Janssen Vaccines.

  Source

• 2009

  Johnson & Johnson makes a strategic investment in CrucellM&A

  Background

  Johnson & Johnson sought to collaborate with Crucell on influenza-vaccine development, following Crucell’s work on the CR6261 influenza antibody.

  Action taken

  Johnson & Johnson acquired an 18 percent stake in Crucell for approximately €302 million.

  Aftermath

  The investment preceded Johnson & Johnson’s acquisition of the remainder of Crucell and its integration into Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

  Investment value. Approximately €302 million (September 2009)

  Source

• Development of the Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccineProduct launch

  Background

  The COVID-19 pandemic created a need for rapidly developed vaccines using scalable and established technology platforms.

  Action taken

  Janssen Vaccines developed Ad26.COV2.S, a viral-vector vaccine designed as a single-dose primary vaccination.

  Aftermath

  The vaccine became Johnson & Johnson’s principal COVID-19 vaccine and was produced initially in Leiden for international use.

  Source

1. 1Janssen Vaccinesen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Janssen Vaccines official websitejanssen.com