Centocor
Encyclopedia
Janssen Biotech, Inc., formerly Centocor Biotech, Inc., is a biotechnology company that was founded in Philadelphia in 1979 with an initial goal of developing new diagnostic assays using monoclonal antibody technology.
In 1982 Centocor developed their first product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — a diagnostic test used to detect the rabies
virus
, and in that same year transitioned into a publicly traded company. Subsequently, the company moved to a larger facility in Malvern, Pennsylvania
(a northwest suburb of Philadelphia). In 1984, Centocor opened an overseas plant in Leiden, the Netherlands
.
Eighteen years after its foundation, (in 1997), Centocor achieved its first year of operating profitability. In 1998, Centocor sold its diagnostic division to Fujirebio, Inc.
and launched its top-selling monoclonal antibody Remicade (infliximab
) for its first FDA approved indication in Crohn's Disease
. In 1999, Centocor became a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson
, the worldwide manufacturer and marketer of healthcare products. Subsequently, Remicade's market has expanded with approvals for rheumatoid arthritis
, ankylosing spondylitis
, psoriatic arthritis
, ulcerative colitis
, and pediatric Crohn's disease. Remicade was approved for plaque psoriasis in September 2006.
Centocor also markets ReoPro (abciximab), a biologic agent indicated as an adjunct to coronary angioplasty
(PTCA
).
Since being acquired by Johnson and Johnson, Centocor has increased its annual sales from approximately $500 million to more than $2 billion. During the same period, research and development investment increased from $75 million to more than $300 million.
In 2004 Centocor purchased a new manufacturing plant in St. Louis, Missouri, and is currently opening a new manufacturing facility in County Cork, Ireland. The Dutch plant has been expanded substantially with a $250 million investment in additional production facilities, which were opened in 2006.
In 2008, Centocor, Inc. and Ortho Biotech Inc. merged to form Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc.
In June 2010 Centocor Ortho Biotech acquired RespiVert, a privately held drug discovery
company focused on developing small-molecule, inhaled therapies for the treatment of pulmonary diseases.
In 1982 Centocor developed their first product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — a diagnostic test used to detect the rabies
Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that causes acute encephalitis in warm-blooded animals. It is zoonotic , most commonly by a bite from an infected animal. For a human, rabies is almost invariably fatal if post-exposure prophylaxis is not administered prior to the onset of severe symptoms...
virus
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea...
, and in that same year transitioned into a publicly traded company. Subsequently, the company moved to a larger facility in Malvern, Pennsylvania
Malvern, Pennsylvania
Malvern is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,998 at the 2010 census. The main road through the borough is King Street, although the borough is also bordered by Paoli Pike on the south, and is near US 30 on the north. The primary cross street is Warren...
(a northwest suburb of Philadelphia). In 1984, Centocor opened an overseas plant in Leiden, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
Eighteen years after its foundation, (in 1997), Centocor achieved its first year of operating profitability. In 1998, Centocor sold its diagnostic division to Fujirebio, Inc.
Fujirebio
is a Japanese company that deals with manufacturing and selling reagents and equipment for clinical diagnostics and assay systems. It was founded in 1950 under the name Fujizoki Pharmaceutical, Co., Inc. and originally developed and manufactured pharmaceutical products. In 1983 its name was changed...
and launched its top-selling monoclonal antibody Remicade (infliximab
Infliximab
Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody against tumour necrosis factor alpha . It is used to treat autoimmune diseases. Remicade is marketed by Janssen Biotech, Inc...
) for its first FDA approved indication in Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease, also known as regional enteritis, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing a wide variety of symptoms...
. In 1999, Centocor became a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is an American multinational pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company is listed among the Fortune 500....
, the worldwide manufacturer and marketer of healthcare products. Subsequently, Remicade's market has expanded with approvals for rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks synovial joints. The process produces an inflammatory response of the synovium secondary to hyperplasia of synovial cells, excess synovial fluid, and the development...
, ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis , previously known as Bekhterev's disease, Bekhterev syndrome, and Marie-Strümpell disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the axial skeleton with variable involvement of peripheral joints and nonarticular structures...
, psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, will develop in up to 30 percent of people who have the chronic skin condition psoriasis...
, ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease . Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis, a disease of the colon , that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores. The main symptom of active disease is usually constant diarrhea mixed with blood, of gradual onset...
, and pediatric Crohn's disease. Remicade was approved for plaque psoriasis in September 2006.
Centocor also markets ReoPro (abciximab), a biologic agent indicated as an adjunct to coronary angioplasty
Angioplasty
Angioplasty is the technique of mechanically widening a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel, the latter typically being a result of atherosclerosis. An empty and collapsed balloon on a guide wire, known as a balloon catheter, is passed into the narrowed locations and then inflated to a fixed size...
(PTCA
PTCA
PTCA may refer to:* Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, a type of angioplasty* Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography...
).
Since being acquired by Johnson and Johnson, Centocor has increased its annual sales from approximately $500 million to more than $2 billion. During the same period, research and development investment increased from $75 million to more than $300 million.
In 2004 Centocor purchased a new manufacturing plant in St. Louis, Missouri, and is currently opening a new manufacturing facility in County Cork, Ireland. The Dutch plant has been expanded substantially with a $250 million investment in additional production facilities, which were opened in 2006.
In 2008, Centocor, Inc. and Ortho Biotech Inc. merged to form Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc.
In June 2010 Centocor Ortho Biotech acquired RespiVert, a privately held drug discovery
Drug discovery
In the fields of medicine, biotechnology and pharmacology, drug discovery is the process by which drugs are discovered or designed.In the past most drugs have been discovered either by identifying the active ingredient from traditional remedies or by serendipitous discovery...
company focused on developing small-molecule, inhaled therapies for the treatment of pulmonary diseases.