Johnson & Johnson Innovation is expanding its company incubation strategy to include a new multifaceted initiative in Europe designed to identify and nurture early-stage companies actively pursuing research with the potential to transform human health. The initiative, named JLINX, is designed to catalyze scientific innovations by offering start-ups flexible ways to grow and collaborate across the European life science ecosystem.
JLINX will be located in a fully dedicated facility on the Janssen campus in Beerse, Belgium, and will be managed through a close collaboration between Johnson & Johnson Innovation and bioqube ventures, which will provide independent oversight for venture funding and company selection. JLINX will provide entrepreneurs with opportunities to share ideas and collaborate with each other while accessing a unique combination of resources including investment, infrastructure, and access to relevant internal and external scientific, technical and business expertise. JLINX is accepting applications immediately and will be fully operational by this summer.
“The mission of Johnson & Johnson Innovation is to identify and advance the best science – internal or external – to bring healthcare solutions to patients and consumers around the world,” said Paul Stoffels, Johnson & Johnson CSO. “We are confident that JLINX will create a vibrant ecosystem of start-ups and entrepreneurs with access to the world-class expertise and technology at the Janssen Campus in Belgium and within our global network. This new initiative has been designed to foster the creative start-up culture in Europe that can accelerate breakthroughs.”
Another interesting aspect to the JLINX initiative is that investment is venture-based and Johnson & Johnson companies will not hold any specific rights to commercialized products by virtue of the JLINX relationship. JLINX will launch with initial venture funding from Johnson & Johnson Innovation along with those from additional external investors.
In alignment with the recently launched Janssen Human Microbiome Institute, JLINX will have a particular focus on human microbiome research, alongside other areas of innovation in pharmaceuticals and cross-disciplinary healthcare solutions.
Start-ups and entrepreneurs interested in applying to join the JLINX community can reach out by visiting jlinx.jnjinnovation.com.
