Janssen Pharmaceutica preserves Chinese terracotta warriors against fungal infection

1

• Janssen Pharmaceutica preserves Chinese
  terracotta warriors against fungal infection
• Janssen Pharmaceutica is a world leader in
  research into the treatment of fungal infections.
  The companys activities have led to the
  development of a broad range of products
  effective in fungal prevention or control, not
  only in living organisms but also in materials
  like wood, leather - and terracotta.
• In particular, Janssen Pharmaceutica has a
  distinguished record of achievement in combating
  fungal infections in man. For example,
  Daktarin, one of the first modern antimycotics,
  was developed in the late sixties in Beerse,
  Belgium. Simple to use and featuring a wide
  range of applications, this product, more than
  thirty years on, is still a drug of choice. In
  addition, the first broad-spectrum oral
  antimycotic, Nizoral, was discovered in
  Janssens laboratories. In the eighties, it was
  succeeded by Sporanox, in many respects the gold
  standard among the most recent antimycotic
  medicines.

2

• In the Plant Material Protection Division,
  research is carried out to find environmentally
  friendly fungicidal products for use in cattle
  breeding, agriculture and material protection.
  These efforts have yielded a rich harvest in
  terms of treatments for fungal infections in
  large and small domestic and companion animals
  and mould in plants, vegetables and fruit.
  Fungicides from research at Janssen also
  constitute the basic ingredient of products that
  protect wood, leather, textiles, oils and
  ceramics against fungal attack.
• In 1974, in the outskirts of the city of Xian,
  Chinese farmers discovered the grave of the first
  Chinese Emperor. He was buried there 22
  centuries ago together with an army of 8.000 clay
  soldiers, true to life in size and colour,
  complete with chariots and weapons.

3

• The terracotta army of Xian is one of the most
  important archaeological finds of the twentieth
  century. But due to exposure to high
  temperatures and humidity, and probably also to
  the millions of people who come to visit the
  museum every year, the priceless relics are
  threatened by fungi that actually live on
  terracotta.
• The ancient Chinese terracotta army has been
  designated by the United Nations as a World
  Heritage Site, and it goes without saying that
  this unique historical treasure must be preserved
  for posterity.Against this background, the
  scientists in charge of the museum housing the
  warriors appealed to scientists at Janssen
  Pharmaceutica, a world leader in antimycotic
  research and treatment, enquiring whether they
  could protect the site.

4

• A co-operation agreement was concluded with
  Janssen that went far beyond the supply of
  fungicides free of charge. The contract also
  covers the transfer of technology and laboratory
  equipment, and Chinese technicians came to
  Belgium for training in Janssens laboratories.
  The idea is to become independent in the use of
  treatment techniques for the preservation of
  their cultural heritage.
• In the bioresearch laboratories of the Plant and
  Material Protection Division of Janssen in
  Belgium, samples of fungi living on the Chinese
  terracotta statues were cultivated and
  identified. In total, some twenty species were
  found. Other species are known to have a
  potentially devastating effect on terracotta.

5

• On the basis of these findings, Janssens
  scientists were able to choose from among the
  many fungicides they have discovered. A first
  test on fungus-infected terracotta fragments
  established that a combination of several
  fungicides could indeed protect the material
  against fungi. In the following phase, this
  combination will be tested at the temperature and
  humidity that prevail in the museum in question.
  Next, a treatment regimen and a management plan
  for the popular site will be worked out, thereby
  protecting the terracotta warriors against their
  environment for centuries to come.