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Pharmaceutical and Health-Care Products Companies Form HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, a New Trade Association

Pharmaceutical Research Day Honors Industry′s Contributions

Trenton, NJ, May 12, 1997 — The HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ), a new organization of leading pharmaceutical and health-care product companies in the state, was officially launched today at ceremonies held at the State House in Trenton.

In honor of the occasion, a Governor′s Proclamation and legislative resolutions officially designated May 12 as Pharmaceutical Research Day.

“New Jersey is proud of its leading global position as the center for the research and development of life-sustaining and enhancing drug therapies,” stated Governor Christine Todd Whitman.  “Our citizens take pride in our state′s well-deserved reputation as the ‘medicine chest of the nation.’”

The HealthCare Institute of New Jersey will serve as a central information resource to build public recognition of the industry′s vital role in the state.  “While many New Jerseyans are aware of the pharmaceutical company in their home towns, they are less aware of the industry′s success in discovering and developing over 90 percent of all new medicines,” stated Institute Chairman Robert N. Wilson, vice chairman of Johnson & Johnson.  “What′s significant to New Jerseyans is that more medicines are discovered here than in any other state.  It is impressive that of the 53 key approvals the FDA gave last year, 28 percent went to companies based in New Jersey.”  

“Today, we are celebrating the tremendous impact of our research on the lives and health of people and these advances are being made right here in New Jersey,” added Wilson.  

Member companies of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey employ more than 52,000 people in the state, and collectively spend more than $4.9 billion annually on U.S. research activities.  In 1996, HINJ member companies had U.S. sales of more than $53 billion, a 13% increase over 1995.

“It is impressive to realize the scope of the investment-in time, money and highly skilled people-needed to develop new drug therapies,” stated William H. Tremayne, president of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey.  “These therapies could not be developed and made widely available unless the climate continues to be favorable for large-scale investment.”

As part of the events marking Pharmaceutical Research Day, a display will be on view in the State House Rotunda this week depicting the industry′s diverse contributions to New Jersey′s economy, health and quality of life.

Institute member companies include American Home Products Corp., Bracco Diagnostics Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Hoechst Marion Roussel, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., Pfizer Inc. (Howmedica), Johnson & Johnson, Knoll Pharmaceutical Co., Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., Nycomed Inc., Schering-Plough Corp., and Warner-Lambert Co.