Janssen has gathered extensive positive experience by way of its partnership with an Indian company that produces HIV medication and a TBC drug. This was once again confirmed during a trade mission that Janssen took part in.
In the autumn of 2013, hundreds of participants travelled to India in the wake of Princess Astrid and various ministers for one of the most important Belgian economic missions ever. A strategic destination considering that according to the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (FEB), this gigantic country was the eighth largest (before China) business partner of Belgium in 2012. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Didier Reynders, the purpose of the trip was ‘to strengthen and diversify the relations between Belgium and India’. For the Janssen delegation, led by Ajit Shetty (former CEO of Janssen Pharmaceutica), it was a pleasant reunion with partners that further strengthened strong ties.
Need remains great
Both Janssen and Johnson & Johnson have had a long-standing and significant presence in India. From Mumbai, the entire subcontinent is served. “India not only has a growing and flourishing population”, says Tim De Kegel, spokesman, “but it is also in need of both innovative and basic medicines.” Of the total population of more than 1 billion, some 100 million Indians are affluent. Luckily, this group is continuously growing in number, but these figures also make clear that the need for essential medicines remains significant. It is this topic that Ajit Shetty discussed with the Indian Minister of Economic Affairs, Anand Sharma. Janssen has clearly lived up to its commitment by granting authorization in 2008 to Emcure Pharmaceuticals to produce anti-HIV medicines intended for India. The treatment for MDR tuberculosis in India is produced exclusively by the company Kemwell.
Technical support
Even all of that, though, is not enough. Support is also needed to ensure that the medicines are used in a correct and efficient manner. That is why Janssen also offers technical assistance for the development of local care centers which make available the necessary diagnostic equipment. In addition, our parent company, Johnson & Johnson, is working on providing aid to the most vulnerable populations via its Corporate Contributions programme.
Developmental activities in India
Janssen also has an R&D center in Mumbai. The ‘Analytical and Pharmaceutical Development Center’ was expanded and renovated in 2007 and symbolizes the importance of the company’s presence in Asia. The Center is a hub for analytical and pharmaceutical development processes.