Janssen

Janssen is a Dutch and Belgian surname of patronymic origin, meaning “son of Jan” (a form of Johannes). It is common in Dutch-speaking regions, with variants including Jansen and Janssens. In addition to its use as a family name, Janssen refers to a notable corporate lineage in the pharmaceutical industry.

Paul Janssen (1926–2003) was a Belgian pharmacist who founded Janssen Pharmaceutica in Beerse, Belgium, in the 1950s. The company developed a wide range of medicines and grew into a major global pharmaceutical firm. It later became part of the Johnson & Johnson family as Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a key pharmaceutical division within the corporation. Today, Janssen operates as a global business focused on prescription medicines, vaccines, and related health products across multiple therapeutic areas, including infectious diseases, oncology, immunology, and neuroscience.

Janssen Vaccines & Prevention is a unit within Janssen that develops vaccines for infectious diseases. The division has contributed to vaccine research and development, including initiatives related to the COVID-19 pandemic. One Janssen vaccine, Ad26.COV2.S, was developed and delivered under emergency-use authorizations in various regions.

In addition to these corporate references, Janssen remains a widely used surname in Dutch-speaking communities, borne by numerous individuals in professional and public life. The name often appears in historical and contemporary contexts related to science, medicine, and industry.