NEW YORK, Sept. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson &
Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today launched the Dr. Paul Janssen
Project – a multi-faceted public engagement initiative that extends
the legacy of Dr. Paul Janssen – one
of the most accomplished industry researchers and humanitarians of
the 20th century – and promotes broader engagement and
appreciation for the value that science and technology innovation
brings to humanity.
"Throughout his life, Dr. Paul
Janssen was driven by a passion to make an impact on the
world, and he did that through translating the best science to
meet patient need," said Paul
Stoffels, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Johnson &
Johnson. "Today, Johnson & Johnson and its family of companies
continue to live into that mission by transforming innovative ideas
into new treatments and healthcare solutions, and by championing
the role that science plays in the life of every person on this
planet."
The Dr. Paul Janssen Project (The Project) encompasses programs
that fuel the next generation of innovators, celebrate the power of
science to change the world and inspire champions of science across
the globe.
"Science and technology can create a healthier future for all of
us. Today, more than ever, science needs champions who can engage
society in a broader way," said Seema
Kumar, Vice President, Innovation, Global Health and Science
Policy Communication, Johnson & Johnson. "As a global
healthcare company, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to
influence the popular culture narrative about the role of science
in society, and engage people of all generations and backgrounds to
see the unlimited opportunities that science brings in the future
of health."
As part of The Project, the company will host a series of
Champions of Science "What's New?" QuickFire
Challenges[1] to engage the public in
re-imagining the future of science. The first Challenge, titled
"The Lab Coat of the Future", will kick off in October 2017 and invite participants to transform
the age-old, often stereotyped symbol of science – the white lab
coat – into a symbol of breakthrough innovation in the
21st century using modern design, textile engineering
and wearable technology. World renowned entrepreneur
and Shark on ABC's four-time Emmy Award winning
series, Shark Tank, Daymond
John will serve as a judge.
"I find it amazing that the white lab coat hasn't substantially
changed for over a century, while at the same time, science,
technology and fashion have gone through amazing transformations,"
said Daymond John. "I'm very excited
to be part of this Challenge to get people thinking and talking
about the role that science, technology and innovation play in our
lives."
Joining John as judges will include experts from science and
technology, textile engineering and wearables, as well as a
representative of Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC, Inc. –
the strategic venture capital arm of Johnson & Johnson.
Finalists will compete in a Facebook Live event to select the
winner of the Challenge in Spring 2018.
Additionally, to continue Dr. Paul
Janssen's legacy of championing science for humanity, a new
initiative, The Art & Science of Ending Stigma About Mental
Illness, will launch in 2018 with the mission to reduce
cultural stigma of mental illness and increase awareness of the
biological basis of brain disorders.
"The Art & Science of Ending Stigma About Mental
Illness builds on Dr. Paul's legacy of advocating for those
with mental illnesses," said Dr. Stoffels. "The program will
combine the transcendent nature of art in its many forms with the
rationality of science to engage the public in understanding mental
illness and how we can work together to conquer stigma."
Finally, in collaboration with Scientific American Custom
Media, the company has launched a new content series to share
the stories of brilliant thinkers, big ideas and exciting
breakthroughs that make our world a better place. See the first of
the stories here.
The Dr. Paul Janssen Project will be officially launched later
today at the annual Dr. Paul Janssen
Award celebration in New York
City. The Award honors the legacy of Dr. Paul and celebrates
today's most dedicated researchers. Since its inception in 2004,
the Award has recognized 15 outstanding scientists, including two
who went on to win the Nobel Prize. Today, Johnson & Johnson
will celebrate the 2017 winner Dr. Douglas
Wallace of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, for pioneering the field of
mitochondrial genetics. Dr. Wallace is the first champion of
science to be profiled in the Scientific American Custom
Media content series, and also will serve as an advisor on
select initiatives for The Project.
Earlier this year, the company launched the #ChampionsofScience
campaign to encourage social media users to share their support of
science with the world. The company has committed to donating
$5 for each use of the hashtag
through September 30, 2017 up to a
total donation of $50,000, to the
Biotechnology Institute. The campaign has already exceeded its
goal, with a total of nearly 18,000 hashtag uses to date.
To learn more about the Dr. Paul Janssen Project and all of its
initiatives, please visit www.drpaulproject.com.
About Johnson & Johnson
Caring for the
world, one person at a time, inspires and unites the people of
Johnson & Johnson. We embrace research and science - bringing
innovative ideas, products and services to advance the health and
well-being of people. Our approximately 132,500 employees at more
than 250 Johnson & Johnson operating companies work with
partners in health care to touch the lives of over a billion people
every day, throughout the world. For more information, visit
www.jnj.com.
About Johnson & Johnson Innovation, JLABS
Johnson
& Johnson Innovation, JLABS (JLABS) is a global network of open
innovation ecosystems, enabling and empowering innovators to create
and accelerate the delivery of life-saving, life-enhancing health
and wellness solutions to patients around the world. JLABS
currently has nine locations in innovation hot spots across
North America and produces
entrepreneurial programs and campaigns to seek out the best
science, like the QuickFire Challenges around the globe. For more
information about JLABS, visit www.jlabs.jnjinnovation.com.
[1] The Champions of Science "What's New?"
Challenges are managed by Johnson & Johnson Innovation, JLABS
as part of their QuickFire Challenge platform. Learn more at
https://jlabs.jnjinnovation.com/quickfire-challenges.
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SOURCE Johnson & Johnson