FDA Issues Complete Response Letter for Ceftobiprole

Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. (J&JPRD) today announced it received a Complete Response letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ceftobiprole. The New Drug Application (NDA) was originally submitted to the FDA in May 2007 for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI), including diabetic foot infections.

The FDA has requested additional information and recommended additional clinical studies be conducted in order to consider a future approval of ceftobiprole in this indication. J&JPRD intends to discuss the best path forward with the FDA as soon as possible.

Ceftobiprole was licensed from Swiss-based Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. in February 2005. In March 2008, J&JPRD received an Approvable Letter regarding the ceftobiprole filing. J&JPRD responded to the FDA's Approvable Letter in August 2008. In November 2008, J&JPRD received a Complete Response letter,

About Ceftobiprole

Ceftobiprole is a novel, broad-spectrum, anti-MRSA cephalosporin with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumonia and many clinically important Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas.

The regulatory review process is ongoing in Europe and other countries for the use of ceftobiprole in adults for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections. Ceftobiprole is approved in Canada,

Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. (J&JPRD) J&JPRD is part of Johnson & Johnson, the world's most broadly based producer of healthcare products. J&JPRD is headquartered in Raritan, NJ, and has facilities throughout Asia, Europe and the United States. J&JPRD is leveraging drug discovery and drug development in a variety of therapeutic areas to address unmet medical needs worldwide.

[This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from J&JPRD or Johnson & Johnson's expectations and projections. Risks and uncertainties include general industry conditions and competition; economic conditions, such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; technological advances and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approvals; domestic and foreign health care reforms and

CONTACTS:

Media: Ernie Knewitz, 908-927-2953 or Amy Firsching, 908-218-7583

SOURCE: Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.

CONTACT: Media: Ernie Knewitz,

+1-908-927-2953

or Amy Firsching,

+1-908-218-7583,

or Investor Relations:

Louise Mehrotra,

+1-732-524-6491,

all of Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.

--Distributed by AsiaNet ( www.asianetnews.net )--

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