What’s next in oncology innovation? Learn from a physician-scientist

“Innovation means finding new treatments for patients,” according to Lan Chen, a global leader in oncology drug development at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine in Japan. Beginning with her unique career journey from clinical practice to academia to industry, this deeply compassionate physician-scientist lays out what’s next in oncology innovation—and why you should join her team.

Clinical practice → academia → industry: Dr. Chen’s journey

“My career aspiration has always been very clear: to help patients live longer, healthier lives so they can spend more time with their families and the people they love,” Dr. Chen says.

It’s an aspiration that explains her journey from clinical practice to academia to industry—and like most sustaining visions of change, it has required courage and conviction born out of personal experiences.

“Growing up, my grandfather and I were always very close,” Dr. Chen recounts. “But he died of cancer when I was still a teenager, and I remember thinking: How is it possible that nobody can save him? If I was a doctor, I could figure out some way to save him.”

She became one—a cardiologist in the intensive care unit. Yet despite tireless effort, she felt like her impact was to some extent limited by the context of clinical practice.

“Working as hard as possible, I could only see 20 or 30 patients per day, that was the best I could do, even while patients were dying all around me in the ICU,” Dr. Chen says. “To this day I can still remember every patient who died under my care.”

Issues of patient access added to her sense of powerlessness. “There were moments when we experienced shortages of treatments, or when patients couldn’t access the medicines they needed,” Dr. Chen says. “In those moments, I again felt vulnerable and helpless, like there was nothing I could do.”

By returning to school, earning her Ph.D. in molecular biology and transitioning to industry, Dr. Chen hoped to meaningfully improve patient outcomes on a far larger scale, address issues of access—and finally bring her career aspiration to life.

“My experiences have definitely shaped me, my journey and my outlook. They’re also the reason I’m so excited by the new drugs and treatments that J&J is bringing forward,” she says.  

Global innovation, local patient impact

While Dr. Chen’s commitment to patients has never wavered, other things have changed for the physician-scientist since joining Johnson & Johnson.

“For one, I’m fulfilling my goal and my purpose,” Dr. Chen says. “I really mean that. In the next two years alone, I expect to see continuous expansion in our oncology portfolio of treatments for various tumor types. So if you’re someone like me—you’re passionate about impacting patients, taking actions and moving forward with deliverables quickly—you need to know that this is the right place to be, and this is the right moment.”

Such rapid progress is part of what differentiates Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine in Japan from most companies, according to Dr. Chen.

“There’s a much greater level of global integration at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine compared to other large healthcare and pharma companies in Japan. There are opportunities right now where you can sit in Japan, but at the same time be participating in and driving innovation on a global scale.”

Shape the future of oncology innovation

Want to join a team of passionate innovators who always put people first? To leverage your medical training to not only positively impact patient outcomes at a local level, but drive innovation on a truly international scale?

In that case, reach out to one of our recruiters directly:

• Ming Liu if you’re based in Japan or China
• Daniel Kollock if you’re based in the U.S.
• Amanda Waldowski if you’re based in the U.S. or EMEA

You can also explore and apply for jobs at Johnson & Johnson right now—and sign up for global talent community to get updates about jobs that may interest you in the future.