Ion-George Anghelescu has been working for Janssen for seven months as a Director and Clinical Scientist in the neuroscience department, with a focus on early development. He provides scientific input for the correct use and development of new compounds. He is involved in the decisions as to which preclinical, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies are required and in the preparation of study schedules and protocols. He is both a physician and a doctor (MD and PhD).

In his current position at Janssen Ion-George cooperates with a team of managers in clinical research and has contacts with regulators, commercial staff and other clinical scientists. He also works closely together with chemists who look for new drug targets. This means that communicative skills and team work are of vital importance in his job. “You cooperate with a great many people with different authorities and from diverse backgrounds. And you have to be able to get along with everyone.” It is also important to be able to draw the right conclusions with respect to a compound within a reasonable deadline.

Prior to joining Janssen Ion-George worked as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist for fifteen years. He also acquired experience as a university professor. He considered working at Janssen an attractive proposition mainly because of the company’s excellent name and reputation, but also because it had a longstanding tradition of drug development within his field of interest. His activities in psychiatry and psychotherapy also meant that he was heavily involved in clinical testing and psychopharmacology. Janssen offered him exceptional opportunities to continue working in this field within a different context.

The area of expertise was identical but the position in itself was an entirely new experience for Ion-George. He was only too pleased to learn more about the organisation and standard procedures (SOPs). When he started working for Janssen he was confident that he would have an impact on drug development. He is particularly pleased, therefore, that his contribution is being rewarded and his input has made a real difference. One of the most positive aspects of his work at Janssen? When something seems truly worthwhile, things soon develop. “Obviously our means are limited in these difficult times. But when you come across an interesting compound the opportunity is there to investigate it in more detail.”