Centocor, Inc. and Schering-Plough Submit Application Requesting Approval of Golimumab in Europe for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis

HORSHAM, Pa. and KENILWORTH, N.J., March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Centocor, Inc. and Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) announced today that a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) has been submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) requesting the approval of golimumab (CNTO 148) as a monthly subcutaneous treatment for adults with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. The initial submission and Phase 3 development programs are unprecedented among anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- alpha therapies, as they mark the first time that an MAA has been proposed for review inclusive of three unique disease states. Golimumab, Centocor's and Schering-Plough's next-generation human anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody, is being studied as an every four week subcutaneous injection and an intravenous (IV) infusion therapy. Pending regulatory approval in the European Union, Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) will assume exclusive marketing rights for golimumab in Europe.

"We look forward to working with the EMEA so that patients and physicians might one day have the opportunity to experience golimumab as a therapeutic option for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis," said Jerome A. Boscia, M.D., senior vice president, Clinical Research and Development, Centocor, Inc. "We remain focused and on track for global regulatory submissions for golimumab targeted for the first half of 2008."

Phase 3 primary endpoint study findings from the Golimumab - A Randomized Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy in Subjects with Psoriatic Arthritis Using a Human Anti-TNF Monoclonal Antibody (GO-REVEAL) trial and the Golimumab - A Randomized Study in Ankylosing Spondylitis Subjects of a Novel Anti-TNF mAB Injection (SC) Given Every Four Weeks (GO-RAISE) trial were reported at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in November 2007. Phase 3 study findings evaluating the efficacy and safety of golimumab in the treatment of more than 1,400 adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis will be presented at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress in June 2008.

About Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and debilitating disease that affects approximately 1.3 million people in the United States and more than three million people in Europe. Signs and symptoms of RA include pain, stiffness and motion restriction in multiple joints. Because RA is a progressive disease, it can cause permanent joint deformity and severe disability if not diagnosed early or if initial treatment is delayed. RA can occur at any age, but is most common in adults 30-50 years old and is two-to- three times more prevalent in women than in men. The cause of RA is unknown, although genetic factors may contribute to the disease.

About Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy manifesting with joint pain and swelling that can lead to joint destruction and debilitation. It is frequently associated with inflamed, scaly, red patches of skin psoriasis and psoriasis nail involvement. Symptoms may include stiffness and tenderness of the joints and surrounding tissue and reduced range of motion. Joints of the hands, wrists, knees, ankles, feet, lower back and neck are commonly affected. Psoriasis affects an estimated two to three percent of the world's population, and approximately one out of three patients affected by psoriasis may develop psoriatic arthritis. Both men and women are equally affected by psoriatic arthritis, most commonly between the ages 30 and 50, in the peak of their productive years.

About Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a painful and progressive form of spinal arthritis and symptoms of inflammatory back pain often first present in people before age 35. It typically begins in the late teens and early twenties and in severe cases may result in fusing spinal vertebrae and may cause structural damage to hips and other joints. Often misdiagnosed as "just back pain" or undifferentiated arthritis, AS is a systemic inflammatory disease that, in addition to its effect on the spine, can affect internal organs, peripheral joints and vision. The Arthritis Research Campaign estimates that on the European continent, AS prevalence ranges from 0.2 to 1 percent of the entire population. The Spondylitis Association of America estimates that between 350,000 and one million people in the U.S. suffer from ankylosing spondylitis.

About Golimumab

Golimumab, Centocor Inc. and Schering-Plough Corporation's next-generation human anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha monoclonal antibody, is currently in the most comprehensive Phase 3 development program to date for an anti-TNF- alpha biologic therapy. With ongoing studies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, golimumab is being studied as an every four week subcutaneous injection and an intravenous (IV) infusion therapy. Golimumab targets and neutralizes both the soluble and membrane-bound forms of TNF-alpha.

Centocor discovered golimumab and has exclusive marketing rights to the product in the United States. Pending regulatory approval, Schering-Plough will assume exclusive marketing rights outside the United States except in Japan, Indonesia and Taiwan where golimumab will be co-marketed by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation and Janssen Pharmaceutical Kabushiki Kaisha; Hong Kong, where golimumab will be exclusively marketed by Janssen-Cilag; and China where golimumab will be exclusively marketed by Xian-Janssen.

About Centocor, Inc.

Centocor is harnessing the power of world-leading research and biomanufacturing to deliver innovative biomedicines that transform patients' lives. Centocor has already brought innovation to the treatment of adult and pediatric Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis and psoriasis.

The world leader in monoclonal antibody production and technology, Centocor has brought critical biologic therapies to patients suffering from debilitating immune disorders.

(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 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 governmental laws and regulations; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Exhibit 99 of Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2007. Copies of this Form 10-K, as well as subsequent filings, are available online at http://www.sec.gov, http://www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.)

About Schering-Plough

Schering-Plough is an innovation-driven, science-centered global health care company. Through its own biopharmaceutical research and collaborations with partners, Schering-Plough creates therapies that help save and improve lives around the world. The company applies its research-and-development platform to human prescription and consumer products as well as to animal health products. In November 2007, Schering-Plough acquired Organon BioSciences, with its Organon human health and Intervet animal health businesses, marking a pivotal step in the company's ongoing transformation. Schering-Plough's vision is to "Earn Trust, Every Day" with the doctors, patients, customers and other stakeholders served by its colleagues around the world. The company is based in Kenilworth, N.J., and its Web site is http://www.schering-plough.com.

SCHERING-PLOUGH DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information in this press release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the company's plans for and the potential market for Golimumab. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations or forecasts of future events. Schering-Plough does not assume the obligation to update any forward- looking statement. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from Schering-Plough's forward-looking statements, including market forces, economic factors, product availability, patent and other intellectual property protection, current and future branded, generic or over-the-counter competition, the regulatory process, and any developments following regulatory approval, among other uncertainties. For further details about these and other factors that may impact the forward-looking statements, see Schering- Plough's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including Part I, Item IA. "Risk Factors" in Schering-Plough's 2007 10-K/A.