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About Johnson & Johnson in Switzerland
As a leading healthcare innovator, Johnson & Johnson in Switzerland is in a unique position to shape the future of healthcare.
From the acquisition of Cilag AG in 1959 to other major acquisitions such as Crucell, Synthes GmbH and Actelion Pharmaceuticals, we have always been determined to improve health through innovation. This has led us to the influential footprint that we have in Switzerland today.
From R&D to manufacturing and commercial, the end-to-end value chain of our MedTech and Innovative Medicine sectors is represented in Switzerland across 9 sites and with around 5600 employees.
From the acquisition of Cilag AG in 1959 to other major acquisitions such as Crucell, Synthes GmbH and Actelion Pharmaceuticals, we have always been determined to improve health through innovation. This has led us to the influential footprint that we have in Switzerland today.
From R&D to manufacturing and commercial, the end-to-end value chain of our MedTech and Innovative Medicine sectors is represented in Switzerland across 9 sites and with around 5600 employees.
Our heritage: 135 years of caring
J&J Our story
We’ve been caring for people for more than 130 years. Learn more about the history of our company and our people.
Our organization
We’ve been privileged to play a role in helping millions of people all over the world be well and stay well through more than a century of change.
How we drive innovation
As the science of human health and well-being has grown, we’ve been able to grow with it. Even more important, we’ve helped shape and define what health and well-being means in our everyday lives. Our products, services and ideas now touch the lives of at least one billion people every day. We credit our strength and endurance to a consistent approach to managing our business and to the character of our people.
Innovative Medicine
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Our commitment to our people
We are committed to providing a workplace that treats our employees with respect and dignity – a place where our employees are empowered to be, feel and do their best every day.
Our societal impact
Giving back and supporting the communities where we work and live is called out as a key priority in
Our Credo and part of Johnson & Johnson’s DNA. We started this long before the words “citizenship” and “corporate social responsibility” were fashionable. For us, this is a calling and not just a business.
1886
New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.
Three brothers, Robert Wood Johnson, James Wood Johnson and Edward Mead Johnson, found Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.
1888
Antiseptic Wound Treatment
The Company publishes Modern Methods of Antiseptic Wound Treatment, which quickly becomes one of the standard teaching texts for antiseptic surgery. It helps spread the practice of sterile surgery in the U.S. and around the world.
1888
First Commercial first Aid Kits
Johnson & Johnson pioneers the first commercial first aid kits. The initial kits are designed to help railroad workers but soon becomes the standard in treating injuries.
1894
Maternity Kits & JOHNSON’S® Baby Powder
Johnson & Johnson launches maternity kits to make childbirth safer for mothers and babies. JOHNSON’S® Baby Powder goes on the market. Its success leads to the Company’s heritage Baby business.
1896-1897
Sanitary Protection Products
Employees manufacture the first mass-produced sanitary protection products for women, a huge step forward in women’s health.
1898
Dental Floss
The Company is the first to mass produce dental floss to make it affordable so that people can take better care of their teeth. The floss is originally made from left-over suture silk.
1900
The Start of a Tradition
The tradition of providing disaster relief begins when the Company donates products and money to help the citizens of Galveston, Texas, in the aftermath of a hurricane.
1901
The first First Aid Manuals
As part of its commitment to first aid, Johnson & Johnson publishes the first First Aid Manuals, using proven best practices from leading physicians. The manuals are packaged with the Company’s First Aid Kits.
1906
San Francisco Earthquake
Within hours of the San Francisco Earthquake, Johnson & Johnson donates products and money to help the citizens of San Francisco, the largest amount of help from any organization.
1910
James Wood Johnson
James Wood Johnson takes over the leadership of Johnson & Johnson until 1932.
1921
Invention of BAND-AID®
BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages, invented by employee Earle Dickson in 1920, go on the market. They are the first commercial dressings for small wounds that consumers can apply themselves.
1924
The Company Enters the UK
Our first overseas operating company opens in the United Kingdom.
1930-1931
Further Company Expansion
The Company expands to Mexico and South Africa (1930) and to Australia (1931).
1931
First Prescription Contraceptive Gel
A Johnson & Johnson operating company pioneers family planning products with ORTHO-GYNOL®, the first prescription contraceptive gel. This was based on the need for trusted family planning products.
1932
General Johnson
Robert Wood Johnson II, son of the Company founder by the same name, begins leadership of Johnson & Johnson. Known as General Johnson, he transforms the Company into a global, decentralized Family of Companies.
1937
Company Expansion
The Company expands to Argentina and Brazil. Ortho Research Laboratories, Inc. is established in Linden, New Jersey, to make women’s health products.
1943
Writing Our Credo
General Robert Wood Johnson writes Our Credo, which remains the guiding philosophy of Johnson & Johnson.
1944
Johnson & Johnson Goes Public
Dr. Philip Levine, the discoverer of the human rH factor, joins Ortho Research Laboratories, creating the beginnings of the worldwide diagnostics business. Johnson & Johnson goes public with a listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
1949
Ethicon, Inc.
Ethicon, Inc. is formed from the Company’s heritage suture business.
1954
NO MORE TEARS®
JOHNSON’S® Baby Shampoo with NO MORE TEARS® formula enters the market as the first mild and soap-free shampoo designed to be gentle enough to clean babies’ hair but not irritate their eyes.
1957
J&J Opens in India
The first Johnson & Johnson operating company opens in India.
1959
TYLENOL® Becomes Available
Johnson & Johnson acquires McNeil Laboratories in the U.S. and Cilag Chemie, AG in Europe, giving the Company a significant presence in the growing field of pharmaceutical medicines. One McNeil product, TYLENOL® (acetaminophen) elixir for children, is the first prescription aspirin-free pain reliever. A year later, it becomes available without a prescription and earns status as the pain reliever doctors and pediatricians recommend most.
1961
Janssen Pharmaceutica Joins the Family of Companies
Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. in Belgium joins the Family of Companies. Its founder, Dr. Paul Janssen, is recognized as one of the most innovative and prolific pharmaceutical researchers of the 20th century.
1963-1973
New Treatments
Under Chairman and CEO Philip B. Hofmann’s leadership, operating companies launch new treatments for schizophrenia, family planning and personal care. Also, 1963 marks the last year that JOHNSON’S® Baby Powder is sold in tins.
1978
New World Headquarters
Chairman and CEO Richard B. Sellars announces plans to build new World Headquarters in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and forms a public-private partnership to revitalize the city.
1976-1989
New Areas of Health
During James E. Burke’s tenure and CEO, the Company enters new areas of health, such as vision care, mechanical wound closure and diabetes management, and opens the first operating Companies in China and Egypt.
1987
Safe Kids Worldwide
Johnson & Johnson is a founding partner in Safe Kids Worldwide, the first national and then global campaign to reduce accidental childhood injury. By 2008, the campaign helps reduce the death rate for unintentional injury in children ages 14 and under in the U.S. by 45 percent.
1987
Introducing ACUVUE®
The vision care business introduces ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses, the first disposable contact lenses that can be worn for up to a week, thrown away and replaced with a fresh pair. The lenses eliminate the need for cleaning, disinfecting solutions and storage. Later, 1-DAY ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses become the first daily disposable contact lens.
1989-2002
Further Expansion
Under Ralph S. Larsen’s leadership as Chairman and CEO, Neutrogena Corporation, Kodak’s Clinical Diagnostics business, Cordis Corporation and Centocor join the Family of Companies; Expansion continues into Russia and Eastern Europe.
1990s
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Ethicon Endo-Surgery pioneers minimally invasive surgery, which uses minimal incisions and helps patients recover faster than with traditional surgery.
1994
First Coronary Stent
The development of the first coronary stent revolutionizes cardiology. Coronary stents keep the vessels open so that blood can flow to the heart. Later, Cordis Corporation produces the first stents, which continuously release a drug into the artery walls to prevent them from clogging up again.
New Therapeutic Areas
William C. Weldon becomes Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, only the eighth person to lead the Company since its founding. Under his leadership, the Company enters new therapeutic areas such as HIV/AIDS, and health and wellness.
2002
Addressing Unmet Needs
Johnson & Johnson acquires Tibotec-Virco BVBA to help address the vast unmet needs of patients with HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases such as tuberculosis.
2006
Pfizer Consumer Healthcare
Johnson & Johnson acquires Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, which brings in heritage consumer brands such as LISTERINE® Antiseptic (first formulated in 1879), BENGAY®, BENADRYL® and more.
2010
Every Mother, Every Child
The Company launches Every Mother, Every Child in support of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals to improve the health of mothers and children in developing countries. Also, this year, as a founding sponsor, Johnson & Johnson helps launch the United States’ first free mobile health service that provides timely and expert health information through text messages for pregnant women and new mothers.
2011
125 Years of Caring
Johnson & Johnson celebrates 125 years of caring and looks to the next 125 years of transforming care for patients, consumers and communities around the world.
2012
Ninth CEO Appointed
Alex Gorsky is appointed Chief Executive Officer of Johnson & Johnson. As only the ninth CEO in our history, he continues a legacy of leadership.
2013
Might Want To Reformat This Event
1. Our First Aid Kits celebrated their 125th anniversary.
2. Opened innovation centers in Boston, MA; Menlo Park, CA; London, UK; and Shanghai, China.
2. Opened innovation centers in Boston, MA; Menlo Park, CA; London, UK; and Shanghai, China.
2015
Teeth Whitening Mouthwash
The new Listerine® Advanced White mouthwash for whiter teeth helps remove stains, remineralizes and strengthens them all at the same time - for a confident smile with whiter teeth.
2016
Neutrogena® Campaign
Neutrogena® moves women worldwide with its campaign “See what is possible”. The message is intended to encourage consumers to make their dreams come true and show their best side.
2017
Largest Acquisition in Company History
Johnson & Johnson acquires Actelion, a biotech company based in Allschwil, in the canton of Basel-Country, for approximately USD 30 billion. It is the largest acquisition in the history of Johnson & Johnson.
2018
Recognition for Switzerland
Johnson & Johnson Switzerland has been recognized among the top 3 attractive Swiss employers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry ranking of Universum.