On Thursday, a groundbreaking new era in orthopaedic innovation was launched for the DePuy Synthes Companies of Johnson & Johnson. I had the privilege to join my colleagues and distinguished guests, including Dr Mark Treherne, Chief Executive, UK Trade & Investment for the Life Sciences Organization, for the official opening of the newly redeveloped DePuy Synthes Beeston campus, based in Leeds, United Kingdom (UK). Our Beeston site has undergone extensive redevelopment to establish a leading global facility for Research & Development (R&D) in the field of orthopaedics.
I am incredibly proud to be a part of this exciting new chapter for DePuy Synthes. Our company is the largest, most comprehensive orthopaedics and neuro business that offers an unparalleled breadth of innovations to help advance the health and well-being of people around the world.
When it comes to advancements in orthopaedics, innovation is critical. By expanding our capabilities through state-of-the-art facilities at the Beeston campus, our R&D team will be better able to foster innovation, creating solutions to meet the needs of our patients and customers, while nurturing local talent and providing a significant contribution to the local economy.
The UK government was a significant partner in helping to make the redevelopment of the Beeston campus a reality. In 2013, DePuy Synthes received an award from the UK Regional Growth Fund to help support the creation of a new orthopaedics Center of Excellence. We chose to invest in Leeds because of its history of innovation in medical technology, access to academic networks, availability of skills, and the long-term commitment of the government to the life sciences industry and the region.
We also consider Leeds and the Beeston facility part of our medical innovation ‘family.’ The DePuy Synthes’ history in Leeds dates back to the establishment of Chas F. Thackray Ltd., medical company founded in 1902 by Charles F. Thackray and Scurrah Wainwright. Our site in Beeston was originally built for Thackray so it has historical importance as the home of hip replacement and medical technology innovation. Collaboration with Thackray and Sir John Charnley facilitated the invention of today’s total hip replacement procedure – a surgical procedure that aims to eliminate pain and restore motion. Each year approximately two million patients worldwide are able to return to a pain free, active lifestyle thanks to the innovative work performed at the Beeston facility. The combination of DePuy’s reputation for pioneering biological fixation and Thackray’s reputation for cement fixation created a formidable orthopaedics leader.
We’ve been a part of the Leeds community for decades and with our redeveloped Beeston facility this partnership will only strengthen in the decades to come. Since the 19th century, the DePuy Synthes Companies have been committed to transforming the lives of patients worldwide through the delivery of value-added solutions. Our commitment to innovation focused on the patient is unwavering.
