Our history

Biotechnology pioneer
Crucell’s roots lie in a small biotech company called IntroGene, which was founded in 1993 in the Dutch city of Leiden. IntroGene researchers collaborated with scientists from Leiden University to invent and develop the PER.C6® technology, the first manufacturing platform based on a human cell line. In 2000, IntroGene teamed up with another Dutch biotech company: U-BiSys, the inventor and developer of MAbstract® technology, an innovative and highly efficient approach to the discovery of monoclonal antibodies. The union of these two biotech pioneers created Crucell—a research-based company born with the new millennium.
 
Global biopharmaceutical company
Crucell embarked on a larger mission in 2006, when it acquired the Swiss vaccine maker Berna Biotech and SBL Vaccines of Sweden—two companies with their own long histories of innovation and strong portfolios of excellent products. With these acquisitions, Crucell became the largest independent vaccine company in the world and was able to expand its efforts to develop breakthrough therapies for infectious diseases. Revenues generated by Crucell’s vaccine sales and technology licenses fueled development of the company’s R&D pipeline.

In 2008, Crucell initiated The Crucell Ambition, a global corporate strategy designed to fully integrate the historically different parts of the organization and optimize the company’s ability to make a significant difference to the health of people worldwide. The Crucell Ambition focused on capturing synergies, streamlining operations and building on the values uniting Crucell employees around the world. The global rebranding of Crucell’s products and activities in November 2009 reflects and reinforces this process of integration. It marks the start of a new era for Crucell as a global force in healthcare.
 
Increasing our impact
In October 2009, Crucell was proud to announce that it will be supported in this mission by Johnson & Johnson, the world’s largest healthcare company. The two companies signed a strategic agreement aimed at the discovery, development and commercialization of antibody products and vaccines for the prevention and/or treatment of both infectious and noninfectious diseases.

The agreement ensures full funding through to commercialization of Crucell’s flu-mAb product, a potentially revolutionary approach to influenza control (see R&D). It also provides funding for new discovery programs targeting new therapeutic innovations, including a universal influenza vaccine. Crucell is delighted to have a partner that shares its passion for true advances in healthcare—innovations that bring real benefit to the lives of people worldwide.

In 2010 talks held with Johnson & Johnson resulted in Crucell becoming the center of excellence
for vaccines within the world’s largest and possibly most respected healthcare company. As a member of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, we can do so much more to make the world we live in a healthier place. The combination of our two companies will enable Crucell to further accelerate growth, and our shared expertise and talent will help to make an even bigger difference in the lives of people worldwide. We are delighted by the prospect of pursuing our mission with the support of Johnson & Johnson that shares our passion for healthcare innovation, our values and our commitment to care for people.

Milestones

1898

• Swiss Serum and Vaccine Institute is founded in Bern, Switzerland (Berna)

1909

• State Medical Institution is founded in Stockholm Sweden

1918

• State Medical Institution changes its name into Stae Bacteriological Laboratory (SBL)

1993

• IntroGene biotechnology company is founded in Leiden, the Netherlands

1995

• IntroGene develops PER.C6® human cell-line technology with Leiden University

1996

• Biotechnology company U-BiSys is founded in Utrecht, the Netherlands

1997

• IntroGene launches PER.C6® technology

2000

• IntroGene and U-BiSys merge to form Crucell
• Crucell listed on Euronext and NASDAQ under stock symbol CRXL

2003

• Start of infectious disease strategy

2006

• Crucell acquires Swiss Berna Biotech AG, Swedish SBL Vaccin AB and US-based Berna Products Corporation

2009

• Introduction one global brand
• Start collaboration flu-mAbs with Johnson & Johnson

2011

• Crucell acquired by Johnson & Johnson