http://www.jnj.com/connect/about-jnj/views-positions/new-products/
http://www.jnj.com/connect/about-jnj/views-positions/new-products/
Johnson & Johnson - Index
Johnson & Johnson - report - Index
PROFILES IN COMMITMENT
Conducting
Responsible Research
Research Research is the way we discover
innovative new products that
serve our customers and grow
our business. But responsible
research — ethical conduct at
all phases of discovery and development —
is how we increase the level of trust
accorded to our science and thereby, our
products. We would not be in business
very long without this trust. We spoke to
Harlan Weisman, M.D., Chief Science &
Technology Officer in our Medical Devices
& Diagnostics business about responsible
research in the Johnson & Johnson Family
of Companies.
Harlan, it’s an exciting time for research and
Q:
there are many new technologies and dramatic
breakthroughs. How do the operating companies of
Johnson & Johnson remain vigilant to the potential
risks of these technologies?
WEISMAN: We take the responsibilities that come with new
technologies very seriously. Vigilance demands that we remain
attentive to many considerations; for example, environmental
impacts, worker health and safety, patient safety, cost, and
product quality. This requires strong internal collaboration
between our subject and functional experts such as clinicians,
environmental scientists, chemists, engineers, toxicologists,
pharmacologists and others. When our own resources have
limits, we will also engage with external experts from government,
academia, non-governmental organizations and trade
organizations.
It’s important to also note; Johnson & Johnson has an
Ethical Code for the Conduct of Research and Development (see
our website). This code requires us to place the well-being of
the patient first and ensure that the best interests of patients
and physicians who use our products always come first; to
apply our Credo-based values and judgment to the design,
conduct, analysis and interpretation of clinical studies and
results; to adhere to the principles of good clinical practice; and
to challenge each other regarding medical and ethical concerns.
Q:
Harlan Weisman, M.D.
Chief Science &
Technology Officer
Medical Devices &
Diagnostics
Nanotechnology is still quite new.
Can you comment on its potential?
WEISMAN: Recent scientific advances have made it possible
to work with very tiny materials measuring only one to
100 nanometers. To put that in context, a nanometer is one
billionth of a meter — or about the size of a marble when
compared to the earth. The ability to manipulate materials
and processes at the nano-level holds great hope for improving
the effectiveness of drug delivery to targeted sites in the
body. For example, we are investigating nanotechnology as a
more efficient way to add anti-infective and anti-coagulant
drugs to implanted medical devices. In some cases, we believe
that engineering at the nano-level may make the surface of
a device so infection-resistant that it wouldn’t be necessary
to add an antimicrobial drug. In our laboratories, we’re
studying the design features of nano-surfaces in the natural
world — from the ultra-smoothness of a shark’s skin, to the
ultra-stickiness of a gecko lizard’s footpads — to see whether
we can mimic their properties in implanted devices and
surgical bandages, respectively.
All of this must be done with a measure of caution.
As with all ingredients, we continually work to ensure the
highest levels of purity and safety. Our scientists participate
in nanotechnology scientific forums, research the environmental
impact of nano-sized particles, investigate product
safety, and develop advanced protective methods for working
with nano-size material.
Stem cells have also shown promise for
Q: the treatment of many diseases. Does
Johnson & Johnson conduct stem-cell research?
WEISMAN: We have a number of active stem cell research
programs in Johnson & Johnson. One of our teams is investigating
whether stem-cell technology could be effective in
12 JOHNSON & JOHNSON 2007 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT