On December 19, we gathered in the colorful hall of Corpus to celebrate the end of an eventful 2024 and to look forward to 2025 with renewed courage. Were you there? Then this is the summary to refresh your memory. Were you not there? Don't worry, we'll catch you up!

Our annual End of Year Meeting started with a look back at 2024, in which Leen Van Eylen took us through a year full of challenges and successes. She reminded us of the processing incidents with NaOH and CO2, which made it clear that safety is a vital responsibility. The Credo results were also on the agenda with the message that the leadership team will give this the highest priority in 2025.

But there were also plenty of reasons to be proud! We are committed to growth with no fewer than 691 new colleagues joining our site, the festive opening of the R-building, and the renovation of the K-building. Innovation was also central: we introduced AI models to identify contamination risks, eMBRs to digitalize processes, and VR modules to train our employees in a modern way. And our strength in collaboration was proven with projects such as the accelerated introduction of the new product KLK2xCD3. These are just a few of the many fantastic achievements we have achieved together in 2024!

“There were plenty of reasons to be proud!”

Must Wins nominations

A common thread throughout the day's program were the video pitches for the End of the Year Award 2024. Each nomination showed how our teams brought the core values and strategic goals of our Must Wins to life. Here they are for one last time:


  • Remicade High Titer 2.0 program - nominated for Must Win 1: Deliver operational excellence with a focus on Safety, Quality and Reliability.
  • Introduction and Qualification of anti-BCMA Low Titer - nominated for Must Win 2: Stabilize Large Molecule operations and enable growth.
  • Operational Readiness at BU5 - nominated for Must Win 3: Deliver our Advanced Therapy promises timely and flawlessly.
  • Deliver QC capacity and capability for LVV - nominated for Must Win 4: Develop the Site Master Plan to deliver the future.
  • Project OLAF (On time, lean, agile and flawless) - nominated for Must Win 5: Strengthening Lean and digital capabilities.
  • Induction Program - nominated for Must Win 6: Develop our people and advance our Credo based culture.

And the winner is…

Operational Readiness at BU5! Congratulations to the team! Your dedication, innovation and collaboration have made the operationalization of Lentiviral Vector production for Carvykti possible. A great achievement that you can be proud of!

Looking ahead to 2025

The session continued with inspiring perspectives on 2025, led by Leen Van Eylen, Inge Terpstra, Harold Backus and Gerard Hilberath. With four strategic pillars for our site in Leiden, we set the course for the future: Continuous Perfusion, Fed Batch, Quality Control, and Lentiviral Vector Advanced Therapies. These pillars ensure that we continue to innovate and grow and enable us to develop, test, produce and deliver both our current and new products. But perhaps most importantly, they bring us closer to our mission: transforming patients’ lives by making innovative medicines available reliably and efficiently, in a world that is constantly changing.

Continuous Perfusion & Fed Batch

The team of Inge Terpstra (Sr. Director Operations Large Molecule) is taking the lead in building a Centre of Excellence for Continuous Perfusion and is committed to experimenting and growing the Fed Batch site. Inge emphasized that safety, quality and reliability remain key words. Added to that is our competitiveness and investment in our people. By expanding production processes and introducing new products, and by working together and learning, we maintain our lead. She motivated us with a powerful message: “If we can’t find a way, we’ll make one!”

“If we can’t find a way, we’ll make one!”

Quality Control

The team of Harold Backus (QC Lead Biotherapeutics) is challenged with performing stability testing, viral and microbiological testing for Large Molecules and Advanced Therapeutics in 2025. He used the metaphor of an octopus to illustrate the versatility of QC which must become the reference within J&J through improvements in ‘on-time’ and ‘first time right’ testing, investments in lab infrastructure and a strong focus on team development.

LLV Advanced Therapies

Gerard Hilberath (Director Operations Lenti Viral Vector) spoke about the ambitions for BU5, which will start commercial production of Carvykti in 2025. With rapid scale-up to 3.5 batches per week, and preparations for FDA inspection, BU5 has a busy agenda for 2025.


Following this strategic direction, we are heading into a year full of exciting new projects, innovative products, and great opportunities.

Accountability

We were then inspired by Diana Harris (Training & Learning Lead) with a refreshing view on accountability. It is about what you can do extra to succeed as a team. With a culture of responsibility and trust, we are building a working environment where we can truly count on each other. Her call for 2025: ask yourself more often the question “What more can I do to achieve our shared goals?” This way, we can work together even better in 2025 to get our products to patients reliably and safely.

Erik Wegewijs

Former Special Forces Commando Erik Wegewijs took us on an inspiring journey through the lessons from his youth and impressive career. He showed how responsibility and adaptability in the most challenging circumstances can not only save lives but are also invaluable in business – where the risks are fortunately somewhat less life-threatening! With appealing examples, he made it clear how we can use our full potential through team building, clear communication, making each other stronger, making agreements about standards and values, showing leadership and embracing challenges. Erik concluded his contribution with a final message: zoom out, reflect, zoom in, take initiative, and lead yourself!


We look back with pride on this special 2024 Wrapped. Thanks to the SEC team for organizing the festive XMAS-drinks. Together we will make 2025 an even better year!


Author:

Communications Team