A History of Innovation

The Janssen story starts in 1953, in the Belgium town of Beerse. It was here a young medical doctor called Dr Paul Janssen established the research laboratory, Janssen Pharmaceutica.

Success came quickly. The fifth molecule Dr Paul synthesized had therapeutic properties. Many more discoveries were to follow. His work was responsible for breakthroughs in psychiatry, gastroenterology, neurology, infectious diseases and pain management.

Dr Paul Janssen's research laid the foundation for over 80 medicines that have saved millions of lives. Over the course of his long career, he was granted more than 100 patents. Today, 10 Janssen medicines are on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines.

In 1961 Janssen Pharmaceutica joined the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies.

The company continued to search for solutions that would transform patients’ lives. A search that was boosted in 1988 when Janssen’s Australian operations merged with Cilag, to form Janssen-Cilag Pty Limited.

Cilag (an acronym of Chemical Industry Laboratory AG) was founded by another talented researcher. Dr Joos, a doctor in chemistry, set up a small research laboratory in Schaffhausen, Switzerland in 1933. In 1936 he established Cilag.

Cilag has an impressive track record with discoveries in biotechnology, central nervous system, women's health, dermatology, anti-infectives and immunology.

Australia was the first Janssen-Cilag merger worldwide. Today the two companies have joined forces in most countries around the world, now called Janssen.