Veridex, LLC, a Johnson and Johnson company, has announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the first intra-operative and gene-based test to detect the spread of breast cancer into the lymph nodes. The GeneSearch(TM) Breast Lymph Node (BLN) Assay can detect the spread of cancer into the lymph nodes more accurately than existing rapid methodologies and, as a result, has the potential to reduce the need for stressful and costly second surgeries for breast cancer patients.

For free broadcast-quality video related to this release, please log onto http://www.thenewsmarket.com/jnj. Computer animation of the GeneSearch test can be downloaded from this web site, along with sound bites from: Pat Whitworth, M.D., Chair, American Society of Breast Surgeons Peter Blumencranz, M.D., Medical Director, Breast Health Services, Morton Plant Mease Healthcare, Clearwater, Florida Rache Simmons, M.D., Professor of Surgery and Medical Director of Clinical Research, Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Jeanene Andrews, breast cancer patient, Oldsmar, Florida Registration and video are free to the media. The GeneSearch BLN clinical research was conducted in the following media markets: -- New York City -- Laguna Hills, Ca -- Nashville -- Canton, Oh -- Philadelphia -- Flint, Mi -- Louisville -- Clearwater, Fl -- Dallas -- Pittsburgh For more information, visit http://www.veridex.com CONTACT: Steve Dnistrian of Veridex, LLC, +1-908-218-8287.