New drugs must treat increasingly complex disease patterns. As a result, the active molecules (APIs) - the active ingredients in those drugs - are also becoming increasingly complex and less soluble in water. However, this solubility is crucial for smooth absorption of the molecules by our bodies and thus for a better effect of the treatment. Thanks to digital spray drying, we mix the active ingredients with a solvent and a polymer, after which it is atomized in a spray drying chamber. The size and shape of the active particles can be better controlled thanks to this technology. Combined with sophisticated and accurate on-line measurements of the production process, we have made the uptake of these complex drugs by the human body much more efficient.  The treatment of HIV is a nice example of this: patients were able to go from as many as 18 to only 2 tablets per day thanks to digital spray drying, a tremendous improvement that significantly increases the comfort and feasibility of treatment. This is also an important process innovation from a strategic point of view. With the site in Geel, we have a facility that is capable of producing many new medicines in Belgium in the future.

Our Beerse site has numerous crucial functions. For example, it is not only an R&D and 'production hub', but also an important storage location within our global supply chain network. Among other things, the Ebola vaccine is stored in Beerse. This is a specialized refrigeration infrastructure, as vaccines are stored at temperatures ranging from -20°C to even -60°C. After the outbreak of the corona pandemic, it quickly became clear that the Beerse hub would play a crucial role in the distribution of our COVID-19 vaccine, primarily within Europe but also in other parts of the world, due to its location, existing facilities, and highly trained personnel. Because the demand for vaccines is so great, a completely new warehouse was built in just seven months. This would not have been possible without the smooth cooperation with the competent authorities. This has allowed the storage capacity to be increased significantly and in an innovative way. This is what we call a 'flexible refrigerated warehouse', where one can switch between a frozen temperature and a refrigerated temperature at the same location with a short turnaround time. This is important in order to be able to deploy the vaccine as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Janssen made every effort immediately after the outbreak of the corona pandemic to avoid drug shortages in the disrupted world market. This concerned a number of our essential medicines that are necessary for the treatment of hospital patients in intensive care units. By consulting with the authorities and carefully monitoring the stock levels, we were able to ensure sufficient supplies and distribute them despite the high demand.

The rapid spread of the coronavirus in March 2020 led to a sharp increase in the demand for medical supplies. In Belgium, for example, there was an acute need for 20,000 liters of disinfectant hand gel in the short term in order to avoid an imminent shortage in healthcare. Although Janssen does not produce any disinfectant hand fluids itself, the decision was taken to start up a new production process at the chemical production site in Geel within a record time of less than two weeks. The rapid production was possible thanks to a close cooperation with the federal government, Zorgnet-Icuro, the university hospitals UZ Leuven and UZ Gent, and the companies Filliers and Tereos.

Without energy, we cannot do research and make medicines. Much of the world's energy is still derived from coal, oil, and gas. So, where we get our energy from has a big impact and we deal with that in a conscious way. With our 'Energy and Water Team' project we identify energy and water saving measures that will help us to make our energy consumption more sustainable. In Belgium, we are working hard to have the campus run entirely on renewable energy by 2050. We are investing in green energy sources here, for example through our own wind turbine in Geel. In 2019, with support from the Flemish Government, we also started a geothermal project on our site in Beerse, the first private initiative of this kind in our country. We are drilling for geothermal energy at a depth of no less than 2,700 meters on our campus site. By connecting the hot water at 85°C from the ground to our heat network, we will be able to use it to heat and operate our buildings. In this way, we are able to reduce our CO2 emissions by as much as 20%. By making smart use of natural energy sources and sharing our acquired knowledge with others, we are dealing with our planet in a sustainable way and contributing to the Health Goals with regard to renewable energy.