Johnson & Johnson opens first innovation center

Johnson & Johnson has opened the Johnson & Johnson Innovation center in London, one of four regional hubs being established this year in global innovation hotspots by the company. A part of Johnson & Johnson Innovation, the goal of the London innovation center is to accelerate early-stage science and develop new healthcare options.

Paul Stoffels, MD, Johnson & Johnson chief scientific officer and worldwide chairman, pharmaceuticals, says the company has a shared commitment with the National Health Service (NHS) to address diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia and type 2 diabetes; and emphasizes the need for commitment from the healthcare community to support emerging companies and entrepreneurs in the U.K., who are bringing forward new science and technology. 

In addition to the new Johnson & Johnson Innovation centre in London, similar facilities are planned in Boston, San Francisco and, later this year, in Shanghai. Each city was selected for its life sciences community. For example, the U.K. life sciences sector accounts for more than 165,000 jobs and more than £50 billion ($74.6 billion USD) in business.