With around 1,400 staff in the Canton of Schaffhausen, Janssen is a major player in the Life Sciences sector and one of the largest employers in the area. «We feel very much at home here», says Dr. Stephanie Striegler, General Manager of Janssen Schaffhausen. «One of the key strengths of this area is the availability of well qualified and highly-skilled staff.», she outlines. She also values the easy and uncomplicated access to elected politicians and government departments in the city and wider region. «We have a good working relationship with the local Economic Promotion Team which has supported us on a number of projects», Striegler continues.

Schaffhausen plays a key role

Part of the global Johnson & Johnson group, the company has been based in Schaffhausen for more than 80 years. Janssen Schaffhausen plays a key role within the group of companies as its focus is the launch and growth of new medications. The plant is a strategic location for the aseptic manufacture and packaging of so-called parenterals, syringes, along with vials and related products. The facility in Schaffhausen is an important part of the parent company, a giant in the field of Life Sciences. «Our importance is evidenced by the fact that we produce some of Johnson & Johnson’s leading pharma products», Striegler emphasises.

«We have a good working relationship with the local Economic Promotion Team which has supported us on a number of projects.»

Dr. Stephanie Striegler, General Manager

The manufacturing operation includes sterile filling lines, optical inspection equipment, assembly of autoinjectors – syringes used by a patient to self-administer their medication – and packaging. The site in Schaffhausen is also home to a «High Containment Plant», in which chemical substances are manufactured. R&D activity such as the analytical development and manufacturing of substances for clinical studies also forms part of the portfolio of services provided by Janssen Schaffhausen.

Investment in the Schaffhausen site

Johnson & Johnson has invested over US$ 1 billion in new technologies and plant at the Schaffhausen site since the 1990s. Further development of the site’s capability is planned. «We are seeing a transformation in our pipeline towards an even greater focus on patients and very specific requirements. That means we need to invest in new technologies, more agile solutions and digitalisation as well as automation», Striegler explains. Those capabilities will enable the business to supply life-changing medication to patients throughout the world efficiently, reliably and consistently. «We are continually investing to ensure we have the right infrastructure – and, of course, we always consider sustainability in the solutions we select. », the General Manager adds. That approach will continue to underpin the site’s importance as part of Janssen’s supply chain dedicated to delivering the latest developments in medication to patients across the globe.